The thing about traditions is, it’s never too late to start new ones.
Take Hilton Head Island’s annual tree lighting. For years, it was a perfectly fine tradition. Held at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, it was everything you’d expect in a tree lighting – cocoa, carols, a visit from St. Nick, and then they flip the switch.
For years, it delivered Christmas cheer every year (until Hurricane Matthew did away with the tree, but that’s a whole other story).
It wasn’t until a few years after, however, that the first seeds of a new tradition were planted.
“Historically, the Arts Center had done it on (the Town’s) behalf … but in 2022, we decided that we wanted to do more of that kind of community building as the town itself,” said Angie Stone, assistant town manager. “We had expanded our lights display, but what we really wanted was that Hallmark moment. We were trying to really do things to build community, and we set that one up pretty quickly.”
It’s never too late to start new traditions. Particularly when that tradition is the kind of high-wattage family spectacular that last year’s tree lighting became.This year’s event will be on December 7 at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
Operating on a shoestring budget and a seemingly insurmountable time crunch, the town was able to deliver that same perfectly fine experience in their first year.
“We really wanted to do something special. And we got a really big tree and some really nice lights down there,” Stone said. “We had hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn and stuff, we screened a kid-friendly movie and had live music. And it was a huge hit. People lost their minds. So, it was clear from that first year we needed to keep this going.”
Photography courtesy of Jonathan Dowbiggin
But it was about more than just keeping it going. Seeing as they had just put together a great event on a wing and a prayer, the town staff saw huge potential in kicking things up a notch. And they had just the person in mind.
“Martin Lesch does an annual Christmas show with the Jazz Corner that’s very popular and, of course, he has great connections with our local musicians,” said Natalie Harvey, the town’s director of cultural affairs. “He not only jumped at the chance to volunteer, he brought in so many friends who have theatre experience and lighting experience that really pulled together something special.”
From the get-go, Lesch was ready, willing and – as that first year’s event proved – more than able.
“For many years I’ve been trying to create our own Radio City Christmas show, where everybody from all different walks of life and age groups could get together for this awesome show,” Lesch said. “With the success of (the Jazz Corner Christmas Show), I brought some ideas back to the town, and luckily they were in a position where they wanted to do something.”
Deas-Guyz not only brought last year’s crowd to their feet with their legendary party music spectacular, they also may have inadvertently launched a new Christmas tradition on Hilton Head Island.
With the help of Carrie Norris, Lesch began dreaming big. Like arena rock show big, with a laser shower and everything.
“Then I decided the best thing would be to have Deas-Guyz as the band, about six or seven other acts as singers and musicians, along with the laser light show and all the production elements,” Lesch said. “We also did some improvements to the park to ensure that there was enough power, which needed to be done.”
Deas-Guyz not only brought last year’s crowd to their feet with their legendary party music spectacular, they also may have inadvertently launched a new Christmas tradition on Hilton Head Island.
“Deas-Guyz are always going to draw a big crowd. But what really made it special was when they were doing their Christmas tunes, and then launched into ‘Purple Rain,’” Harvey said. “What says ‘Christmas’ more than ‘Purple Rain’? It probably is now a Hilton Head tradition.”
See? It’s never too late to start new traditions. Particularly when that tradition is the kind of high-wattage family spectacular that last year’s tree lighting became.
“That was so much fun last year,” Stone said. “We had a laser light show. We had amazing music, and we had a huge turnout. … It was packed, and people started showing up at four o’clock, setting up chairs and taking pictures around the park. It was pretty amazing.”
While Lesch has been driving the bus, he’s quick to credit everyone around him who made the event so much beyond the Hallmark moment the town was looking for.
“It’s really the town’s show. I wanted to give something back to the community,” Lesch said. “I wanted everyone to leave with more than just the ‘wow’ factor; I wanted it to be more than a concert or a light show. It’s a heartwarming experience.”
The holiday experience on Hilton Head Island starts with the 20-year tradition of the Holiday Lights at Fire Station 3 (534 William Hilton Parkway) beginning Saturday, November 30. The main event, the Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place December 7 at Celebration Park with C2’s own Maggie Washo and Jevon Daly as emcees. Get there early.
