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The city of Alabaster hosted its fifth annual water tower lighting on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the city’s new amphitheater. (For the Reporter/Neal Wagner)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Lights on the old Siluria water tower flashed as Alabaster residents excitedly counted down until the tower was fully lit in festive red and green during the city’s annual water tower lighting and festival of trees celebration.

The lighting was held on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the city’s new amphitheater next to Alabaster City Hall with a plethora of family-friendly activities for attendees to enjoy.

“The weather was very cold, but I think we had a really good turnout for the ceremony,” said Morgan Lawley, manager of Alabaster’s community programs.

One of the city’s newest holiday traditions, the annual water tower lighting was first displayed on the grounds of Alabaster City Hall in 2020, making this year’s installment the 5th annual celebration. This year’s festivities also marked the very first time the city hosted an event at its brand new amphitheater which is set to serve as the venue for many of Alabaster’s future events.

The new amphitheater features a state-of-the-art sound system, a performance stage and a video board as well as loading and unloading areas for bands and storage. The space also offers a versatile seating setup that allows options for seating or for residents to utilize blankets and lawn chairs. New hardscape around the stage makes both configurations possible.

“We were able to spread out, and we were able to have more room for additional activities,” Lawley said. “People were very impressed with the new amphitheater.”

During the event, a band from Mountaintop Church as well as the Thompson High School Jazz band were able to take advantage of the facilities new stage and perform for those in attendance.

“It was great,” Lawley said. “I think they really loved it.”

In addition to live music, families were able to enjoy a variety of activities, including pictures with Santa, a snow machine, inflatables, crafts, a trackless train ride and balloon animals.

“It’s something that I bring my family to every year and the kids really, really enjoy,” Alabaster Public Relations Manager Neal Wagner said. “It’s really grown over the years, and we always get good feedback from the families who come out here and enjoy it every year.”

A selection of food trucks were also present for attendees to grab a snack to eat while they waited for Santa Claus to arrive and light the water tower alongside the city’s mayor and the Grinch.

“The crowd was excited to see those three do the countdown and kick off the Christmas season,” Lawley said.

The Alabaster Festival of Trees was set up in time for the water tower lighting and currently stretches all the way from city hall to the Alabaster Senior Center with an assortment of trees decorated by local residents and businesses. Each tree sports a different theme as participants advertise their respective organizations.

Entries in the festival of trees were judged by a panel organized by the city with the following winners announced at the water tower lighting ceremony:

• Best Business Showcase – Alabaster Florist
• Best Support-a-Cause – Gafnea Health
• Jolly Award for Best Holiday Tree – Massey Heating and Cooling
• Most Creative Tree – All In Care
• Santa’s Showcase Tree/Best Showstopper – Carmeuse Lime and Stone
• Shining Bright Tree/Best Night Display – Psi Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
• Cindy Lou Who Best Holiday Cheer Tree – Tracy Coyne and Crystal Russell with ARC Realty
• Best City Department Tree – Alabaster Public Works Department

A portion of the entry fee for the Festival of Trees is put toward a combined effort with Shelby Emergency Assistance and local nursing homes that involves the city adopting several families to purchase gifts for during the holiday season. The trees will continue to be available for viewing until Thursday, Jan. 2.

With this year’s edition of Christmas festivities compete, Lawley shared that residents can look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.

“We’re continuing got grow this event each year and look forward to what it holds in the future” Lawley said.

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