Look Back: Christmas Trees

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

Bryan LaPorte, 4, sits on shoulders of neighbor Don Hewes to get a better look at Newmarket Plaza's Christmas lights in 1974.

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

Crowds gather to view the Christmas lights at Newmarket Plaza in 1974.

Buddy Norris / Daily Press

Lyn Stannard and her daughter Kelly, survey the Christmas tree at the Yorktown Christmas tree lighting in 1982.

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

In 1979 the Commonwealth Chorus of Suffolk, led by Maurice Trotman, sang Christmas carols during the tree lighting celebration in Smithfield.

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Christmas carols were sung at the Yorktown Christmas tree lighting in 1979.

Buddy Norris / Daily Press

People gather for the tree lighting on the Yorktown Couthouse Lawn in 1983.

David Pickel / Daily Press

Lights and garlands shaped as Christmas trees at Newmarket South shopping center illuminate the night sky in 1979.

Dennis Tennant / Daily Press

Hampton Christmas tree lighting in 1985.

Dennis Tennant / Daily Press

Becky Barnhart and son, Brientnall, 3, watch the tree lighting at Hampton City Hall in 1986.

Scott Kingsley / Daily Press

West Point residents gather around the town Christmas tree and sing carols during the tree lighting in 1992.

Thom Slater / Daily Press

The lighting of the Christmas tree in Hilton Village brought out people looking for Yuletide fun in 1984

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

Poquoson begins the yule season with the lighting of the city's tree in 1977.

Scott DeMuesy / Daily Press

Carolers sing in front of the Memorial Christmas Tree in Hayden's Lane Park in Smithfield in 1988.The lighting of the community Christmas tree became an annual event, sponsored by the Woman's Club of Smithfield.

Willard Owens / Daily Press

Residents of Ivor hold lighted candles as they carol during the annual tree-lighting ceremony in 1982.

Scott DeMuesy / Daily Press

The 1988 Christmas tree lighting at Oyster Point Road and Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.

Valenda Campbell / Daily Press

Myrtle Smith hangs an "edible'' ornament on the nutrition Christmas tree at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. The ornaments are actually plastic and Smith, the cafeteria manager, came up with the idea to demonstrate good nutrition to the students. (1990)

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

Mayors of Newport News and Hampton, Harry Atkinson and Anne Kilgore, turned on the Christmas lights at Newmarket Plaza, which is partly in each city.

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In 1981 the community Christmas tree is at CW's Greenhow-Repiton House, not far from site of city's first tree in 1842. Courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg

Craig L. Moran / Daily Press

Russell W. VonWald, of the Newport News Parks Department, uses a cherry picker to decorate the Christmas tree at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road in 1991.

Kenneth D. Lyons / Daily Press

Donna Kellum, manager of The Plant Place in Gloucester County, decorates a tree inside the shop. The tree was not cut and will be replanted after the Christmas season. (1987)

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People gather around the Hampton Christmas tree located outside City Hall in 1988.

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The 1980 Hampton tree-lighting included recognition of Hampton High School's State AAA football title.

Ransy Morr / Daily Press

Tina the Talking Christmas Tree entertains children at Newport Market North Shopping Center in 1978.

Thom Slater / Daily Press

Mike Hoyt and his 3-year-old daughter Libby get a closer look at the lights twinkling on the Hilton Village Christmas tree in 1984.

Thom Slater / Daily Press

The Hampton Christmas tree stands outside Hampton City Hall in 1976.

Herb Barnes / Daily Press

A small, lighted tree reminded holiday motorists to drive safely in 1975. Sponsored by the American Automobile Association, the tree was on Jefferson Avenue near the Newmarket Shopping Center. On hand for the tree lighting were from left, Newport News Police Chief George C. Austin, AAA member Paul Sternberg, Mrs. J.J. Pohl from the Pilot Club and Hampton Police Chief Pat G. Minetti.

Dennis Tennant / Daily Press

With a face aglow, 10-month-old Shannon Davis and her dad, Kevin, were on hand to witness the annual Christmas Tree lighting at the corner of Oyster Point Rd. and Jefferson Ave. in Newport News. (1992)

Herb Barnes / Daily Press

The 1986 tree lighting at Hampton University.

Kenneth Silver / Daily Press

Jefferson Avenue's first community Christmas party was held in 1977. David Morgan Jr. III gets a clear view of the celebration from the shoulders of his dad, David Morgan Jr. II.

Dennis Tennant / Daily Press

The holidays were officially welcome in Newport News last Saturday when the Christmas tree, decked with lights and red bows, was illuminated at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road. People gather around the tree after the official tree-lighting ceremony. (1992)

Adrin Snider / Daily Press

Miri Callaway, 4, gets a lift from her mom, Mary Ann Callaway, during the lighting of the Newport News Christmas Tree at the corner of Oyster Point Road and Jefferson Avenue. (1989)