Christmas celebration returns to Lanett for 2025
BY JOHN BRICE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT— Community members and local officials gathered Monday evening near W.O. Lance Elementary School for Lanett’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.
Santa Claus arrived aboard a Lanett Fire Department truck before taking his seat in Veterans Park. Families lined up for portraits with Santa as parents snapped photos of their children posing in front of a festive backdrop featuring a decorative sleigh filled with faux-wrapped gifts.
A food truck served items such as sausage dogs, french fries, funnel cakes and soft drinks, while volunteers handed out complimentary hot chocolate, candy canes and fresh popcorn to visitors of all ages. Valley-based King Jumpers provided bounce houses with slides and a kid-sized train ride, both of which drew long lines of eager children.
Lanett Mayor Jamie Heard welcomed attendees from the stage and encouraged them to pick up raffle tickets for door prizes, which included children’s bicycles and gift cards for adults. Mark McCarty of Lanett Congregational Christian Church offered the invocation.
Musical entertainment began with the St. James Baptist Church Choir singing “Away in a Manger.”
Following the performance, Heard recognized the newly elected Lanett City Council members, inviting each onstage:
- District 1 Council Member, Denise Zachery
- District 2 Council Member, Krisse Story
- District 3 Council Member, Brad Lynn
- District 4 Council Member, Charles Bagley and
- District 5 Council Member, Kim Roberts.
Lanett resident Rita Rowland led the crowd to sing a Christmas carol together before Mayor Heard drew names for the door prizes, awarding bicycles to children in various age groups and gift cards to adults. The Happy Valley Baptist Church Choir followed with a medley of Christmas favorites, opening with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Heard then announced the city of Lanett Restoration Committee as this year’s honoree, thanking members for their commitment to picking up litter and keeping the community clean. Standing with committee members, he flipped the ceremonial switch to illuminate the city’s Christmas tree across the street in Veterans Park.
Christmas music continued to play as Heard thanked guests for attending and concluded the evening’s festivities.
