11/21/2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin invite all West Virginians to join them for the annual "Joyful Night" ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, at the State Capitol. The audience will be invited to join in a musical tour of the capitol, Governor's Mansion and Cultural Center.
“This time of year is about coming together to celebrate family and friends and sharing the holiday spirit,” said First Lady Gayle Manchin. “The governor and I are glad to be able to kick off the season with some of our state’s most talented musicians and performers, and to officially light the capitol Christmas trees.
“Our entire state capitol complex is so beautiful throughout the year, but it has a special warmth during the holidays with the decorations. I hope West Virginians will join us on Joyful Night or visit during this season to see the trees and ornaments created by our students.”
To start the event, the governor and first lady will flip the switch to light the Christmas tree on the north plaza (fountain side). Following a color guard ceremony by the 130th Air National Guard, the Cabell Midland High School Marching Band and the Appalachian Children's Chorus will perform.
The governor and first lady will then move to the south side of the capitol (Kanawha Boulevard side) where, accompanied by a musical selection from the Hampshire County High School Marching Band, they will ride a mechanical lift to top the second Christmas tree with a huge bow.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus and the Covenant School Chorus will perform in the Capitol Rotunda. The Rotunda Christmas tree will feature stocking ornaments made by kindergarten and 12th grade students from across the state – these are decorations that were submitted for the 2008 ornament contest, the fourth year of this contest.
Guests are also encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to place in the Toys for Tots donation box in the Rotunda.
The Doddridge County Elementary School Chorus and the Mountainaires Barbershop Chorus will perform in the Governor's Reception Room, where the governor and first lady will recite “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to children gathered there.
The John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps from Marshall University will perform outside the Capitol’s West Wing entrance. In case of poor weather, they will play inside the Cultural Center.
The festivities then move to the Governor’s Mansion where the winning stocking ornaments are displayed. Soloists from the Governor’s School for the Arts and the Appalachian Children’s Chorus will perform at the mansion, as well.
The evening wraps up at the state Cultural Center with performances by the Winfield High School Show Choir, the St. Albans High School Jazz Band, RM Dance Productions’ "Jazz Nutcracker," the First Presbyterian Church Bell Choir and the Vocal Tapestry Madrigal Singers from Fairmont.
For more information about “Joyful Night” performances, please contact Jacqueline Proctor at 304-558-0220.
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000