In news that was taken hard by local youngsters, rainy weather led to the postponement of the second annual Christmas tree lighting celebration in Laurel Hill.

Sponsored by LaurelFest, the Christmas tree lighting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but was put off for a week because of a late-afternoon downpour.

“We decided that the weather just wasn’t going to give us a chance,” said Connie Coleman, LaurelFest executive board member.

More than a dozen locals appeared at the parking lot across the street from the Laurel Hill post office in the rain, having not heard about the postponement.

“Someone even said that there were some children there crying when they got the news that they were not going to be able to put an ornament on the tree,” Coleman said, encouraged by the turnout in spite of the inhospitable weather.

“We told them to come back next week and put up two ornaments.”

Coleman said that last year was the first time that downtown Laurel Hill has been officially decorated for Christmas in over 50 years.

“Everybody is so excited about it. We had one little old lady come up to use last year and thank us for doing it. She said that she thanked the good Lord that he let her live long enough to see her town this pretty.”

In addition to decorating and switching on the holiday lights there will be a session of Christmas carol singing and hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.

The Laurel Hill Christmas tree lighting will take place next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in downtown Laurel Hill.