We’re five days out from what residents have called the most magical night of the year. Thursday is Light Up Night; the evening when the city Christmas tree is lit, the sky lights up with fireworks and holiday music fills the air.

 

Nearly 50 members of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport will set up festive pop-ups along Main Street, treating the community to free cocoa, cider, treats, light-up novelties and more. Entertaining the crowd will be Light Up Night staple performers Greg Harrison, Josh Oldaker, Brandon Leroy, Benjamin DeFazio, and the Bridgeport High School Jazz Band. New to this year’s lineup are the Seattle-based vocal group Puget Sound Co., vocalist Josh Stubbs, St. Mary’s Elementary Children’s Choir, and instrumental duo Key to Adam.

 

As is tradition, the combined elementary choirs of Johnson, Simpson and Heritage Christian School will perform directly before the 7 p.m. tree lighting ceremony at the Benedum Civic Center. Lighting the tree is an honor previously held by Mayor Andy Lang, worldwide-known fly fisherman Curtis Fleming, the West Virginia University Mountaineer Mascot and other respected community members. Doing the honors this year is Bridgeport businessman and active community member Brad Ford. Ford was unanimously chosen by the ABB board. Not only has he been instrumental in Light Up Night for the past 18 years, but he is the one who originally brought the idea to our city of Bridgeport. He has been transitioning to his family’s new home in SouthCarolina and this is likely the last year he will be active with the ABB board.

 

Past ABB president and longtime board member Doug Marquette said there was no better choice for this year’s tree lighter.

 

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Main Street will close to traffic at 5:15 p.m.

 

Look for more about Light Up Night coming to Connect-Bridgeport in the next few days. Also, make sure you register for Light Up Our City 2022 for a chance to earn weekly bragging rights for your exterior decorating efforts and a chance to win a $300 grand cash prize the week before Christmas. Emai your address to julie@connect-bridgeport.com.