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Fireworks, billions of sparkling lights, a parade, dancing, food, music, and holiday cheer will fill Johnson City next weekend during the annual Johnson City Lights Spectacular Event. It is the premier event that the Chamber of Commerce gears up for, and many residents will tell you it’s the towns main attraction.

For 19 years the Johnson City Lights Spectacular Committee has done their absolute best to provide Johnson City residents with an amazing holiday experience.

Many people have come and gone since the creation of the holiday event that attracts thousands of visitors each year, however those who sit on the committee have remained faithful since the beginning.

Lights Spectacular Chairperson, Rhonda Stell, has been involved in the Christmas event since the beginning. She served as the co-chair alongside Norma Honeycutt for the past 18 years. Last year, Mrs. Honeycutt retired alongside another committee member, Dave Ripson. leaving Mrs. Stell as the sole chairperson.

However, she’s not all alone. Conrad Carbary, and Ronnie Batchelor have been by her side doing just as much work; each making sure the event goes off without a hitch.

Carbary and Batchelor design the way the lights are hung, and local resident George Merrick is the electrician who actually wired everything.

“The hardest part about organizing [Lights Spectacular] is scheduling to get the lights hung up when everyone can come out and help… this year I just told everyone to just come out and do what they can to get it set up…” stated Mrs. Stell.

This year the committee will hold a fireworks display on opening night, Friday, November 28th, as well as a special appearance from Santa himself. “We also have something special planned for the kids…but I don’t want to give it away,” Mrs. Stell coyly said.

On Saturday, November 29th the Clickety Cloggers will perform at 5:30 pm in front of the courthouse, and the Lighted Hooves and Wheels parade will begin at 6:30 pm.

Furthermore, Johnson City residents should be aware that there will be a home and business lighting contest on December 13th. The winners will be awarded a plaque or banner that they will be able to post in the yard declaring their house as the best decorated in town.

“Everyone of us that work on the lights become just dog tired when it’s all said and done… but it is all worth it just to see the looks on everyone’s face each year. It really just makes you feel proud to be a part of something that brings so much joy to other people,” said Mrs. Stell.