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The Living Christmas Tree named a "Top 20 Event"

The Sevier Heights Baptist Church Living Christmas Tree has been named one of Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) Top 20 Events for the month of December 2009.

The Living Christmas Tree premiered in 1989 at Sevier Heights Baptist Church and has had a 20-year history with a total attendance of more than half a million guests from more than 20 states.

The event is held at Thompson-Boling Arena, where the choir is transformed into a custom-built, 49-foot-tall ‘tree’ that features thousands of lights synchronized to the music tracks. With a capacity of 247 people, compared to the first tree which held 80 people and was only 23-feet tall, the tree is the tallest of its kind in the country.

The cast and crew contain 300 drama performers, 60 orchestra musicians, 247-voice choir members and 100 stage hands in order for the production to run smoothly and dazzle the crowd. All cast and crew members are volunteers, local to the Knoxville area and affiliated with Sevier Heights Baptist Church.

The Living Christmas Tree performances are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. A free ticket is required for each guest.

According to William T. Hardman, President and CEO of STS, the “Top 20 Events” publication receives extensive exposure in print media, web, television and radio in the United States and Canada with more than 800 of these outlets receiving “Top 20” listings. Additionally, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution prints the “Top 20 Events” as a regular quarterly feature of its travel section, and the events have recently been featured on the New Orleans-based radio show “Travel Talk Radio.”

Founded in 1983, the STS promotes leisure travel, sustainable tourism and the importance of the travel industry in 12 Southeastern states. Members represent many facets of the travel industry and work cooperatively to strengthen the region as a travel destination.

For more information on The Living Christmas Tree, visit www.thelivingchristmastree.com or call (865) 577-2937 after November 1.