Pee Wee Herman plants a big smooch on Miss Yvonne while Batman looks on — Knoxville’s Tour de Lights 2014

As you would expect, Santa Claus and the Missus were there . . .

as was a team of red riders from Loudon, Tennessee . . .

and a merry band of snow women!

Little kids seemed mostly an afterthought, overshadowed by the funky, dazzling, grown-ups on the scene.  Some young riders just looked around and “hung out” until Start Time was announced.

Others became half of a Selfie Duo whenever Mom could get ’em to hold still and look at the camera.

One man wearing a See Rock City birdhouse just smiled as he and his cardinal mostly watched the action on the square.

We couldn’t remember if these three riders, the only Biblical ones around, represented “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or Three Wise People.  Didn’t matter.  They were having fun being kingly and silly at the same time.

Ellie Faul, Jennie Andrews, and Saul Young in search of the big star!

Some bikers like this lady with the sign needed a little untangling . . .

and this duo decided that the couple who rides together stays together.  Looks like a great kick-off to a long marriage to us!

A whole family joined the fray with an able son riding his own bike while his little sibling got a ride-along from his red-and-green parents.  Not a bad gig, if you can get it.

Our favorite costumes had to be from this crafty couple — a tree and package duo — whose bikes morphed into reindeer with a little help from some corrugated cardboard, battery packs, and lights.

Finally the announcement came from organizer IBIKEKNX.com:  Line up.  We’ll start in five minutes. And line up they did.  While we sipped free hot chocolate passed out by Mast General Store,  young and old, colorful and twinkly, and everything in between started moving toward the start near Gay Street.

We couldn’t follow along after that.  But next year, we may locate a cozy spot along the route where we can stand and cheer ’em on.  After all, what a great way to join our hometown in the Christmas in the City celebrations!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

For more information:

IBIKEKNX.com and Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program

Balloon Santa faces were a big hit at the Regal Celebration of Lights 2014!

So what’s up, Knoxville? Gay Street closes? Families with kids smushed into strollers or perched on daddy’s shoulders move through Krutch Park? And the waiting line for the ice rink in Market Square snakes all the way around the big white tent?

It was the Celebration of Lights sponsored by Regal Cinema — Friday, November 28th — when Mayor Rogero (with the help of Santa, of course) lit the city’s holiday tree kicking off Christmas in the City.

And what a crowd it was! Parking lots at capacity. Restaurants with long wait times. And lines at family-friendly booths confirmed what we suspected — kids love doing as much as seeing.  Like writing letters to Santa (sponsored by Visit Knoxville), designing Christmas cards for the troops at the Red Cross booth, or concocting “reindeer” food with the help of Earth Fare employees.

Busy making Santa faces and reindeer hats out of balloons!

Some folks hopped aboard the train snaking its way down Gay Street . . .

Holiday train, Gay Street, Knoxville

while others just tried to stay warm.

Huddled around the fire in front of Urban Outfitters, Knoxville

Strains of holiday sounds from a man playing a saw (yes, really) drew a crowd . . .

This guy played a saw for hours at Knoxville’s Celebration of Lights.

as did the Salvation Army players . . .

Entertaining the crowd at Krutch Park.

and this happy bell ringer.

Ringing the bell for Salvation Army, Knoxville.

A group of exchange students from France and their host families in Oak Ridge loved posing in the midst of the mayhem on Market Square . . . 

Students from Oak Ridge High and exchange students from France pose in Market Square

while wobbly skaters packed into the rink on Market Square — some just lucky to be upright!

A popular place — the ice rink on Market Square. (Open ’til January 5th)

Bundled-up fans like this little panda on her daddy’s shoulders . . .

Daddy with a panda on his shoulders listens to EmiSunshine and the Rain performing in Market Square.

listened — amazed — at the grown-up sounds coming from 10-year-old EmiSunshine and the Rain.  (She even yodels!)

EmiSunshine and the Rain performing on Market Square at the Regal Celebration of Lights

But the longest lines of all moved cautiously in and around and through Krutch Park beautifully lit with over 100,000 lights as young and old tried to find a place near the stage.

Knoxville’s Krutch Park lit for the season.

We joined the crowd, grabbing a free sample of Cheerwine from the girls of Rowan County, North Carolina, where it’s made, and then . . .

Who can resist a free sample of Cheerwine?

when Santa arrived, we listened as Mayor Madeline Rogero urged everyone to enjoy what the city had to offer — from decorated windows to the parade coming on December 5th.  The countdown began — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — ’til the tree was lit and fireworks shot up toward the top of The Holston!

And the tree was lit!

Another great Celebration of Lights kicked off Christmas in the City.  Knoxville was officially ready for the 2014 holiday season!

For more information about activities all over Knoxville during the month of December, go to the City of Knoxville website.

Articles on the Regal Celebration of Lights:

“Look past Thanksgiving to ‘Christmas in the City'” by Amy McCrary: http://www.knoxnews.com/knoxville/family/look-past-thanksgving-to-christmas-in-the-city_96084918

“Christmas in the City Kicks Off Nov. 28 with Tree Lighting, Market Square Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown, Ice Skating”: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2014/1113.asp

Facebook pages

City of Knoxville Special Events:  https://www.facebook.com/CityofKnoxvilleSpecialEvents

EmiSunshine and the Rain: https://www.facebook.com/emisunshinemusic

Mayor Madeline Rogero: https://www.facebook.com/MayorRogero

Visit Knoxville: https://www.facebook.com/visitknoxvilletn