Historic Blountville Announces Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade

Historic Blountville will welcome the holiday season with two cherished community traditions: the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 11th at 6:00 p.m. and the Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade on December 13th at 2:00 p.m.

This year’s Tree Lighting will take place on the lawn of the Historic Sullivan County Courthouse, providing a beautiful backdrop for an evening of celebration, reflection, and community spirit. The 2024 theme, “One Special Town…Two Special Trees,” highlights the addition of a new community Christmas tree replacing the landmark 50-foot tree planted in 2005.

The new tree, representing the next generation of Blountville families, will be lit by Elizabeth Johnson, the 2024 Youth Fundraiser of the Year for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.

A second tree will be lit in remembrance of lives lost to violence. The keynote remarks will be delivered by Brittany Fleenor, Director of Branch House Family Justice Center. The evening will be emceed by Matthew Johnson, Director of Sullivan County’s Department of Archives and Tourism, with a Christmas message and benediction from Reverend Clay Austin. Seasonal music will be performed by the Men’s Appalachian Express Chorus, creating a warm and festive atmosphere for families and visitors.

Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade – December 13th

The Blountville Ruritan will host the annual Blountville Christmas Parade on Friday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m. The parade route will begin on Hwy TN-126 at Keystone Drive and end in the Historic District at the Sullivan County Courthouse.

Local businesses, civic organizations, school groups, and community members are invited to participate and line the route as Blountville celebrates the season with classic small-town charm.

Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism.