'City of Stars' to shine in Thursday night event

'Tis the Season as Kilgore prepares for the holiday season— and Christmas in the Patch.

Kilgore Historic Preservation Foundation has hung those oldtime famous holiday signs on the derricks and replaced thousands of bulbs and light sockets in preparation for festivities.

At 6 p.m., before the switch is thrown lighting up the Kilgore Skyline, Kilgorites and their visitors may assemble for prelude performances by Kilgore College twirlers, Ranger Band, and Ranger drum line.

A solo performance is scheduled at 6:20. John Whitehead, accompanied by Debbie Dane, will perform "Heroes.

At 6:30, three essay contest winners will throw the switch and bring the show to life.

Welcome remarks and musical introduction are by Mark Fried, Forest Home Baptist Church music director.

Other acts include: "Tis the Season," by Debbie Dane and John Whitehead; "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," by Dane and Whitehead, accompanied by children's chorus; "Let It Snow," by the Kilgore High School Hi-Steppers; "Feliz Navidad," performed by Carolina Bryant and Lucas Pitchon; "The Christmas Song," sung by Helen "Pudge" Griffin; and a medley of Christmas songs, by the Longview Down Home Cloggers.

Also, "Up, Up In The Sleigh," by the Maude Laird Middle School Treble Choir, directed by Eva Williams and accompanied by Karla Parmalee;

Also, "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree," sung by Lana Phillips; Ballroom Medley, with Vicki and Jim Jones; "Winter Wonderland," by James Holder; "Silver Bells," by St. Luke's United Methodist Church Praise Team, with soloist James Vermillion;

Also, "It's the Most Wonderful Time," sung by Cherisa York; "Come See What's Happenin'," by the Kilgore Quartet; Christmas Story, read by the Rev. Charlotte Austin; "O Holy Night," sung by Mark Fried; and "White Christmas," with dance by Alexis and Colby Johnston.

The downtown derricks are set to burn through the night throughout the entire holiday season and into the new year, welcoming Kilgorites home and inviting tourists to stop in to see what the "City of Stars" adds the annual Holiday Trail of Lights tour.