Lipscomb kicks off the holiday season with 19th annual Lighting of the Green

Lipscomb continued a popular community tradition Tuesday night with the 19th annual Lighting of the Green.

Amy Grant made an appearance once again and led the event with “Tennessee Christmas,” “Rockin’  Around the Christmas Tree,” “Heirlooms” and “Emmanuel.” 

Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University choirs also performed on the stage outside of Allen Arena.

“It’s another way to put Jesus into the Christmas season,” said Kalissa Finn, a Gospel Choir member. “That’s the main reason why I love bringing the Gospel Choir out here for the Lighting of the Green.”

Inside Allen Arena was the Merry Marketplace, where local vendors set up shop to sell crafts and other wares.

Rachel Risley, who with her husband owns The Wreath Stand, said that coming to the event has been a tradition for her business.

“We started out doing vendor events, and we grew our business to the point where we now have our own brick-and-mortar,” said Risley, whose shop is on Thompson Lane. “But we still come back to Lighting of the Green every year, because we love it so much.” 

Lipscomb President Dr. Candice McQueen came on stage to announce the winner of the Amy Grant scholarship award. This year it is Logan Bennett, a sophomore from Georgia majoring in Commercial Music and Songwriting. 

McQueen said she appreciated Amy Grant coming to the event for yet another year.

“It’s special because she has, I think, a special place in people’s hearts around Christmas and she’s such a Nashville and Tennessee tradition,” McQueen said. “It’s great to have her here, and we love her at Lipscomb.” 

Written story by Anastasiia Boldyreva; audio story by Brandon Bigsby