54Community Students, staff and the Searcy community eagerly anticipated the annual celebration of turning on the Harding lights on the front lawn, which marked the beginning of the holiday season. The lighting ceremony began in 2005 with approximately 60,000 lights. As of 2017, the lighting ceremony involved over one million lights strung in the area. With each year, new lights and events were added to the ceremony. Horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate stands and photo opportunities brought more people from the Searcy community to campus for the event. The Harding lights were known by alumni everywhere, which made it one of the most anticipated events of the Christmas season. “I personally look forward to the event every year,” junior Scarlett Davis said. “I love the fellowship of a town celebration that opens the season when we rejoice in the birth of our savior.” The Searcy community was known to participate in the Christmas season. Like the Harding lights, there were light displays at Berryhill Park and a well-known living nativity at the First Assembly of God in Searcy. As the community came together to partake in these seasonal events, Harding students saw these activities as a sign of something different. For the students, the Harding lights symbolized the nearing end of the semester and provided a ray of positivity during the busy time surrounding finals week. “My favorite part of the lights are how they look at night,” junior Kaci Geer said. “They’re just so pretty to look at. I look forward to the lights every year.” The Harding lights created an environment on campus that many students appreciated. Not only for the joy the lights brought, but also the lighting they provided to campus at night. Junior Tucker Bartch shared his adoration of the lights. “People are friendlier and more comfortable at night when they are on,” Bartch said. “Harding could keep the lights on year-round, and I would lose no sleep.” During fall 2020, the lights went up before Thanksgiving break so that the students could enjoy them before the extended break. In the COVID-19 pandemic, winter break started at Thanksgiving, meaning the typical lighting ceremony would not happen. The lighting ceremony had increased significance then and continued to be a favorite for the coming years. “I have been to all three ceremonies in my years here,” Davis said. “I would consider coming back after graduating [to watch it].” With each passing year, the lighting ceremony continued to bring joy, camaraderie and a sense of community to all who attended, ensuring its place as a beloved tradition for generations to come. Written by Alyson Voigt LET THERE BE Friends and families come together to celebrate the tradition of the lighting ceremony on Harding’s front lawn. Light “I love the fellowship of a town celebration that opens the season when we rejoice in the birth of our savior.” - Scarlett Davis Deck the Halls | Students involved in Harding University’s bands brought their talents to the front lawn for the lighting ceremony. The music brought Christmas cheer and added to the festive experience of the night. Photo courtesy of Jeff Montgomery
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