For the seventh year, the Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings will be held in various areas in Bennettsville.
The 2022 Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings will have neighborhood candle vigils in remembrance of those the community has lost.
Each tree is placed in a location in the city with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by a neighborhood partner.
Jalaya Liles Dunn is the founder of the event.
This year, there are six Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings in Bennettsville.
The Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings are in partnership with House of J Neighborhood Partners, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Upsilon Sigma Omega Chapter, Marilyn Purvis, Men of the Corner Club, State Senator Mia McLeod, Betty Jo Quick, Marlboro School Community Center, Family Affair Catering, SVP Properties, Thomas Electric, and Jermaine and Reneka McCoy.
The schedule of tree lightings includes:
— First Day of Christmas: Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30-6 p.m., Downtown Neighborhood, A+Auto Spa, 200 W. Main Street. Sponsored by A+Auto Spa.
— Second Day of Christmas: Sunday, Dec. 18, 3:30-4 p.m., Cheraw Highway Neighborhoods, Marlboro Place Apartments, 813 Cheraw Street. Sponsored by Victory World Outreach Center.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 5:30-6 p.m., Cheraw Highway Neighborhoods, New Life Fellowship Church, 105 Cheraw Street. Sponsored by New Life Fellowship Church of Bennettsville
— Third Day of Christmas: Monday, Dec. 19, 5:30-6 p.m., Mill Farm Neighborhood, 1202 West Main Street. Sponsored by Mill Farm Neighborhood Partners.
— Fourth Day of Christmas: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30-6 p.m. Down West Neighborhood, corner of Marshall Street and McKay Circle. Sponsored by Councilman Tyron Abraham and District 5 Community Volunteers, Rep. Pat Henegan, and Marlboro County Coordinating Council.
— Fifth Day of Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 5:30-6 p.m. Cheraw Highway/Richardson Park/Shady Rest Neighborhoods, Mama’s Blair’s, 602 Cheraw Street. Sponsored by Mama Blair’s.
Safety precautions for all Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings include social distancing (at least 3 feet, fist bumps), face coverings for all guests (strongly suggested), abbreviated programming and group gathering , and cleansers and hand sanitizer available onsite.