FORT KNOX, Ky. — It’s that time of the year where folks deck the halls and light the tree in holiday magic. A “tree-mendous” way to get in the holiday spirit at the annual First Lights Festival at Fort Knox.

Despite the bitter cold, Sgt. Maj. Laurinda Nabors says she and her family had to come to the Lights Festival because they had so much fun last year. 

“It’s really good that we have positive events out here to bring everybody together for the camaraderie and morale for the troops, especially here at Fort Knox,” said Nabors.

This year her kids got to be a part of it in a special way.

“The kiddos got selected randomly to turn the lights on for the trees. So that’s the first time event for us, and we’re really happy to be a part of it,” Nabors added.

First Lights Festival features holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies, a holiday card competition and a special visit from Santa Claus. Community Recreation Division Chief Chris Dent said they started planning the event back in July. 

Besides all the food and fun, free live Christmas trees were given away to service members and their families.

“We give away trees and we have 250 trees, as part of the trees retreat program and FedEx that we give away to soldiers, to families tonight to get free tree if they want one,” said Dent.

Garrison Commander, Col. Christopher Ricci said the festival is the Fort Knox community’s pre-Christmas. 

“To me, Fort Knox, this just represents family. It represents community. All of us coming together to celebrate this holiday season. Just super special event. I mean, this is probably the coolest thing we do every year at Fort Knox,” said Ricci.

Nabors said it is worth it to be in the cold and chilly weather to be at the First Lights Festival.

“The cookies are worth coming out for. But, it’s really just the camaraderie and the morale with everybody here. It’s just Fort Knox always does a wonderful job having events for the families,” said Sgt. Maj. Nabors..