Top photo: The Robinson Family Light Show at the Tabernacle will debut Monday night as a part of the city of Rexburg’s “Lights ON!” Christmas kickoff celebration. | Courtesy Daniel Hansen/DTM Films
By Emily Miller
REXBURG — Rexburg is ringing in the Christmas season with “Lights ON!” Monday, November 27. It’s a big community celebration that will include lots of Christmas music, lights, treats, Santa Claus and downtown train rides.
The holiday fun starts at 5:30 p.m. with the traditional tree lighting on Center Street. Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill will flip the switch to light up the trees, with some musical help from the Madison High School Choirs.
After the tree lighting ceremony, the action will move a block away to the Rexburg Tabernacle Civic Center at 51 North Center Street for the debut of the Robinson Family Light Show at the Tabernacle, as well as more music throughout the evening from the Madison High School Choirs, which will perform on the front steps of the Tabernacle.
The celebration will continue inside the Tabernacle with crafts and treats, where the Mahelona Family will continue their tradition of Cocoa For a Cause. This year, they are raising money to help fund much-needed repairs to the historic Tabernacle. Word has it Santa will be there, too, and the Rexburg Police Department will provide train rides to and from the Tabernacle throughout the evening.
At 7 p.m., the Rexburg Cultural Arts Department will host a Community Christmas Concert at the Romance Theater at 2 East Main Street. The concert is part of the Spotlight Series that showcases local musicians in fun, themed concerts. This installment includes a variety of well-known and lesser-known Christmas tunes as well as some audience participation numbers.
RELATED | Cocoa for a Cause: Three young brothers from Washington bring tradition to Idaho
Tickets are available online for $6 through Sunday at rexburgarts.org, or at the door Monday for $8 apiece. Many local businesses have donated prizes to be raffled at the concert, including a $50 gift card to Red Rabbit Grill, a $40 gift card to Righteous Slice, a voucher for a suit from Circle of Love and many other exciting prizes.
This year’s Community Christmas Concert performers include:
- Testostertones (An a cappella octet)
- Adam Anderson
- Katie Hamstead
- David and Liz Batt
- Doug and Jessica Hansen
- Julienne Bringhurst
- Amy Lanaro
- 3 Good Looking Men (A Quartet)
- Robin Ellsworth and Devin Cameron
Ellsworth previously performed in Spotlight Series: Broadway, where she sang “Me and the Sky” from the musical “Come From Away.” She says the opportunity to perform has been a valuable experience.
“The Rexburg Community Concerts are so special to me,” Ellsworth says. “They gave me the opportunity to sing a solo on stage for the first time in my life. I have grown so much as a result of participating in these concerts.”
Ellsworth says participating in these and other Rexburg Arts programs has helped her grow her talents and find community.
“I love the Rexburg Arts programs,” she says. “I heard about them when the theater specialist, Kaatia (Larsen), posted about them on Facebook in the fall of 2022. Since then, I have taken theater classes, attended shows and sang in two community concerts. What keeps my involved are the people. I have made incredible friends from these programs and I have developed a love for Rexburg that I never thought I would have. Rexburg Arts helped me find my tribe and my community.”
When it comes to Monday’s concert, Ellsworth says she’s looking forward to joining with fellow performers and the audience for the finale number, “Joy To the World.”
“I love the ‘Elf’ quote, ‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!’” she says. “It is absolutely true.”
