Fireworks fill the sky over Bridgeport during the city’s annual holiday Light Up Night on Thursday.
By Jeremiah Shelor
Exponent-Telegram
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Though it rained for much of the evening, nothing could dampen the Christmas spirit in Bridgeport Thursday night.
The Associated Businesses of Bridgeport put on their 9th annual Light Up Night, which culminated in a tree lighting ceremony outside the Benedum Civic Center in downtown Bridgeport.
The rain let up just in time for the tree lighting to take place at about 7:30 p.m.
“We put our faith in God and asked Him to give us a window of hope,” said Mark Bonamico, president of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport, to the crowd just minutes before the tree was lit. “And thank the Lord, He did that for us.”
The crowd counted down, then Mayor Mario Blount, Bridgeport Benedum Festival Queen Madison Moyer and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus pulled the switch together to trigger all 8,800 of the tree’s lights. A fireworks display followed shortly after, illuminating the sky behind the tree, much to the delight of those in attendance…
