Winthrop festival canceled

By Staff Reports

We'll miss Winthrop University's Festival of Carols this year. But we understand that ongoing renovations to Byrnes Auditorium and Tillman Hall make it difficult to hold the annual festival.

Rock Hill residents could practically mark the real beginning of the holiday season with the lighting of the tree in front of Tillman and caroling by Winthrop vocal groups. The school has put on the festival for 36 years as something of a gift to the community.

Several years back, it was expanded to include several different performances by area musicians and singers. Festival-goers also could get a cup of hot chocolate to warm them up.

The tree, which has been illuminated each year since 1935, still will shine Dec. 1 through Jan. 4. But the lights will go on without the traditional lighting ceremony.

However, those who attend ChristmasVille, Rock Hill's holiday event Dec. 4 through 7, still will get a chance to see Winthrop vocal and dance groups perform.

Winthrop officials promise that the Festival of Carols will come back bigger and stronger next year. We look forward to its return.