Holiday Celebration

By Chris Huntemann / Journal Staff Writer

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/512903.html

RANSON - A local celebrity helped usher in the holiday season in the city of Ranson on Saturday night.

Rod Snyder, a Shenandoah Junction native and semi-finalist on Season 4 of the reality show “American Idol,” was the special guest emcee for the city’s fourth annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

The ceremony took place next to the town circle off South Mildred Street.

Snyder serenaded the crowd with several Christmas songs and said that even though he has been lucky to perform all over the United States and the world, he loves coming back to the area where he grew up to take part in events like the ceremony.

“The people here mean the most to me and I love doing these things,” Snyder said.

The ceremony also featured an appearance by Santa Claus, who helped to light up the town circle and posed for photos with local children in front of Ranson City Hall.

Horse carriage rides were also available during the event, which served as the kickoff to the city’s holiday activities, including its Christmas parade set for Dec. 6.

Saturday night’s ceremony also featured musical performances by singing groups from Blue Ridge and Ranson elementary schools as well as Washington High School in Charles Town.

Ranson resident Wendy Payne, who attended the holiday event with her two daughters, said the ceremony helped her get into the Christmas spirit.

“It makes you feel like a kid again and it’s good to have a place to go to celebrate,” Payne said.

Michelle German, who stopped by the event with her husband and two sons, said her oldest son always gets excited by the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

“We drive past it on our way to preschool every morning and he always sees them working on the tree,” said German, a Ranson resident. She noted that decorating is her favorite part of the Christmas holiday.

Cheryl Mills, executive director of the Ranson Convention & Visitors Bureau, said she hopes the ceremony and other events give people a reason to come to Ranson for the holiday season.

“It really offers a sense of community and a sense of place,” Mills said.

Ranson resident Cindy Frye, who went to the ceremony with her granddaughter, said the holiday season often makes people happier.

“People lighten up and tend to want to do more for others,” she said.