BIA adds menorah to Town Hall decorations in celebration of Hanukkah

Huntsville’s downtown is looking even more festive than usual this holiday season thanks to the efforts of the Downtown Huntsville BIA, the Town of Huntsville and other community groups.

The latest addition is an electronic menorah on the Town Hall steps in celebration of Hanukkah. The menorah was created by Sophie Lovell, Downtown Huntsville BIA’s administrative assistant.

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration—often referred to as the Festival of Lights—which in 2020 begins at sundown on December 10. The holiday is celebrated with the daily lighting of a candle to add to the menorah—a multibranched candelabra—traditional foods, games, and gifts.

Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew and commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. (Learn more at reformjudaism.org.)

To those who celebrate Hanukkah: Chag urim sameach!

“We recognize that we want to be more inclusive downtown,” said Downtown Huntsville BIA manager, Morgan Richter, adding that they hope to continue engaging community groups to build partnerships for seasonal decorations downtown year-round.

Also new in downtown Huntsville this year are decorations in partnership with artist Zoe Valentine, Community Living Huntsville, Big Brothers Big Sisters Muskoka, and the Rotary Club of Huntsville.

Two new murals created by artist Zoe Valentine have brought some festive photo opportunities to Main Street. There’s a new holiday mural at Town Hall, and Santa’s sleigh resides at Kent Park—visitors to downtown have several chances to take socially distanced pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa will be at Kent Park on Dec, 12 and 19, but his sleigh will be parked there throughout the holidays for photos (@downtownhuntsville / Instagram)

This Happy Holidays mural by Zoe Valentine is a colourful addition to Town Hall (@downtownhuntsville / Instagram)

Community Living Huntsville (CLH) clients have decorated trees that now adorn light standards along Main Street.

The partnership is a continuation of one that began at Halloween with scarecrows created by clients of the organization, which promotes inclusive communities.

Have you noticed the colourful trees along Main Street? They were decorated by clients of Community Living Huntsville in an inclusive partnership with the Downtown Huntsville BIA (@downtownhuntsville / Instagram)

Annette, David, Ruth, Linda, and Olivia from CLH with their decorated tree (@clhuntsville / Instagram)

BIA JoAnne and Keith with the tree created by the CLH clients at Glenwood residence (@clhuntsville / Instagram)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Muskoka also created a holiday tree to brighten one of the now-snow-covered flower beds next to Town Hall.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Muskoka contributed this holiday tree to downtown Huntsville (@bbbsmuskoka / Instagram)

The Town of Huntsville, the BIA, and the Rotary Club of Huntsville, along with community partners, came together late last month to erect a giant Christmas tree in the vacant Empire lot at the corner of Main and Centre streets.

Members of the community have come together to erect a giant Christmas tree at the corner of Centre and Main streets to brighten up the season. (Photo by Dawn Huddlestone).

Other holiday decorating traditions have continued, including wreaths and tree lights along Main Street, a tree on the Town Hall steps courtesy of the BIA and Rotary Club of Huntsville, and lights and festive windows at downtown businesses, the swing bridge, and the Algonquin Theatre.

The Downtown Huntsville BIA will be running an Instagram giveaway just in time for the holidays, which will include product from Algonquin Outfitters and gift certificates from local restaurants. The giveaway will be triggered by the BIA’s account reaching 3,000 followers. Give them a follow and watch for details @downtownhuntsville on Instagram.

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