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American Tobacco Lights Lucky Strike Tower for Holidays |
Student choirs perform as the Lucky Strike Tower comes to life with lights. |
The Lucky Strike tower on the American Tobacco Campus is now a holiday beacon for all of downtown Durham. WRAL-TV Anchor Ken Smith emceed the ceremony to flip the switch and welcome the holiday season to the Bull City on Friday night, November 30, 2007.
The evening began with a VIP reception in Bay 7 as crowds gathered for a good place to see the festivities from the lawn. Over 200 students from Creekside Elementary Children’s Choir, Carrington Middle School Chorus and the Northern High School Chorus, featuring KnightSound, provided musical entertainment for the evening.
The 133-year-old Lucky Strike Tower is decked for the holidays. |
Students from Creekside Elementary Children’s Choir merrily carol for the lighting ceremony. |
In total over 1,200 people enjoyed the holiday music and the lighting of the 133-year-old tower. The third annual event proves the lighting is becoming a Durham institution.
“This is like no other seasonal display in town,” said ATC GM Paul Pope. “American Tobacco is a historic Durham landmark that deserves to be decorated and celebrated during the holidays, and we invite everyone to make this even a new family tradition.”
Light Up Durham partnered with American Tobacco Campus on the evening event. American Tobacco also hosted more of the Light Up Durham festivities the following day, which culminated with a 4pm parade through downtown.
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See the Lucky Strike Tower Come to Light
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3r Annual Lucky Strike TowerVIP Reception
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ATC's Alison Nicholas helps give gifts of ornaments to all the distinguished guests at the reception.
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WRAL-TV's Bob Sadler (right) gets into the holiday spirit with his wife, Julia.
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Microspace's Bonnie Southard (right) enjoys the evening event with her date.
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Capitol Sports' George Habel (left) & his wife, Cindy, fill plates with goodies at the buffet.
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The Lucky Strike Tower is American Tobacco's holiday gift to downtown Durham.
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Christmas decor abounds at the VIP reception.
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ATC's Heather Merritt (center, l to r) is joined at the reception by her mother, Carla St. John; and husband, Jason.
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ATC's Michael Goodmon (center) chats with several of the guests at the American Tobacco reception.
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This nutcracker stands guard over the buffet.
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Over 200 people fill Bay 7 for the VIP Reception before the tower lighting.
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Happy Holidays from American Tobacco!
3r Annual Lucky Strike Tower Lighting at American Tobacco
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The Lucky Strike Tower blends into the dark sky as the festivities crank up on the stage below.
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Children & adults alike eagerly anticipate the lighting of the tower.
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A crowd lines the walkway over the Bull River to get a good "seat" for the lighting.
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This little one is prepared for the cold.
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The Carrington Middle School Chorus brings sounds of the season for the tower lighting ceremony.
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Is it time yet? This little one stays up late to see the holiday wonder.
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ATC General Manager Paul Pope (right, w/ microphone) welcomes the crowd on the chilly Friday night. Dr. Carl Harris, Superintendent of Durham Public Schools (left) joins him onstage as Honorary Chair of Light Up Durham.
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A combined group of students from Creekside Elementary School Children's Choir, Carrington Middle School Chorus and Northern High School Chorus, featuring KnightSound fill the night air with music.
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WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Ken Smith serves as emcee for the holiday event.
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Wonder fills the eyes of children as "snow" falls with the lighting.
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The children in the choir are thrilled by the falling "snow."
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The tower comes to life with lights as the children sing.
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The 133-year-old Lucky Strike Tower is outlined from head to toe in new holiday lights for the third annual tower lighting on the American Tobacco Campus.
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The tower is ablaze with Christmas lights and will be a symbol of holiday cheer throughout December.
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KnightSound, from the Northern High School Chorus, dazzles the crowd with a few numbers.
