Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and
First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin will welcome West Virginians to the annual
Joyful Night celebration and tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the
State Capitol Complex in Charleston.
The evening's program and
reception will honor the state's military members, their families and veterans.
All events are free and open to the public. As part of the festivities, the
First Family encourages attendees to bring a new unwrapped toy for the U.S.
Marines' Toys for Tots campaign.
"The evening's
celebrations will welcome friends from near and far to embrace the spirit of
the season," Gov. Tomblin said.
Events will begin at the
North Plaza of the Capitol with musical selections by the Cabell Midland High
School Marching Knights, the "State Marching Honor Band of the Year,"
and the Appalachian Children's Chorus Cantare Choir from Southern West
Virginia.
The West Virginia Air National
Guard will post the colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by
the VIPs of Capital High School and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by West
Virginia's only living Medal of Honor recipient, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.)
Woody Williams. The first family will light the tree.
Visitors will proceed to
the South Plaza of the Capitol where the Philip Barbour High School Band will
perform and the tree will be lit as the governor and first lady pay tribute to veterans and military families.
The first floor Rotunda
of the Capitol will feature a holiday tree decorated with handmade ornaments
created by school children throughout the state as well as a musical
performance by the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus. The annual U.S. Marine
Corps Toys for Tots donation site will be located in the rotunda.
This year's Military
Recognition tree will be showcased in the Governor's reception room and will
feature photos of loved ones and friends who have served or are serving in the
military. During their visit, attendees are invited to create holiday cards to
send to our troops serving overseas.
The Governor's Mansion
will be open to visitors during Joyful Night. In keeping with tradition, the
governor and first lady will read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience musical performances by the
Appalachian Children's Chorus and a soloist from the Governor's School of Arts,
in addition to viewing the second annual ArtisTree, showcasing handmade
ornaments from West Virginia artists and artisans.
Finally, visitors can
enjoy light refreshments at the Culture Center where the
"Mountainaires" Barber Shop Choir will perform concluding the
evening's events.
For information about the
Joyful Night activities, contact Caryn Gresham, deputy commissioner of the West
Virginia Division of Culture and History at 304-558-0220.
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