O CHRISTMAS TREE

New holiday tradition begun with tree lighting ceremony

A large crowd gathered in downtown Little Rock on Nov. 20 to kick off a new tradition -- the lighting of a giant Christmas tree on the newly refurbished Capitol Plaza. Gabe Holstrom, executive director of the Downtown Partnership, which hosted the event, estimates the attendance for Bright the Night at nearly 1,000.

The evening began with Christmas carols by Second Baptist Church Choir and hot cocoa and cookies.

Keagan Provost, one of 12 Arkansas Children's Hospital Ambassadors present -- along with Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Santa -- flipped the giant switch lighting the tree.

Children's Hospital was a sponsor of the event. As part of a short program, Robin Burklow, Provost's mother, told the crowd how supporting the hospital makes a difference in the lives of children including her son, who is fighting brain cancer. "Your support helps children shine bright through the darkest of situations. It gives kids like our Keagan an opportunity for a healthier tomorrow."

-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins

High Profile on 12/10/2017

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