BLYTHEWOOD – Good weather brings out large crowds and it did so Sunday evening for the annual Blythewood tree lighting ceremony.
Emmalyn Gilbreth and Ava Swindler, music students at Blythewood’s Freeway Music school, provided music as guests gathered. As the ceremony began, Rev. Carsten Bryant of Trinity United Methodist Church gave the invocation. Then members of the Macedonia Baptist Church Choir entertained with several songs.
As night fell, Tryphena Cuffy, the 2021 Richland Two District Teacher of the Year, pulled the switch and lit the tree in front of town hall as well as another one across the street. Cuffy then led the audience in singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Following the ceremony, Santa arrived to take Christmas orders from children and Freeway Music students continued to provide post-ceremony holiday music.
Hot chocolate was provided by the Rotary Club.
Richland County Council Rep Derrek Pugh and wife Teshieka 
Jim & Frankie McLean 
Freeway Music student Emily Gilbert
Macedonia Baptist Choir 
Santa visits with children.
Rev Carsten Bryant Trinity UMC 
Tryphena Cuffy 2021 R2 Teacher of the Year 
