Gray Court’s Christmas Tree Shines Again Thanks to Local Collaboration
November 5, 2025
Nearly three decades after it was first planted, the town’s Christmas tree at the corner of South Main Street and Highway 101 will once again light up the holiday season—thanks to the leadership of Town Council Member Laura Cook and the support of several community partners who came together to make it happen.
In the mid-1990s, Marcus Cook Farms and Garden Center joined the Gray Court Christmas Parade with something more memorable than a traditional float. Riding with their New Holland skid loader and tree spade, they carried a 14-foot Cryptomeria Japonica tree destined to become the town’s new Christmas tree. Mayor Bobby Carter had asked the farm to help replace the previous tree, which had been removed to make way for a new sidewalk. When the parade ended, the Cook team planted the tree in its current, highly visible location.
In its early years, the evergreen was beautifully decorated each December, becoming a symbol of community pride. Over time, however, the lighting fell into disrepair, and the tree—now about 35 feet tall—sat quietly through the holidays, tangled with old strands of bulbs that no longer glowed.
This year, that’s all changing. After years of quietly advocating for the tree’s restoration, Laura Cook spearheaded the effort to have it properly lit once again. The outdated lights are being carefully removed, and Blink Lighting Company will professionally install about 1,000 new LED lights and a lighted star crowning the top.
The rejuvenation project came together after Jeff Field, executive director of the Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission (LCWSC), mentioned that the town might be eligible for funds to support holiday celebrations. When the initial lighting estimate exceeded that budget, Cook reached out to additional partners for help.
Together, LCWSC, PRTC, Commission on Public Works (CPW), and Laurens Electric Cooperative (LEC) each contributed equally to make the project possible. These four sponsors are funding both the lighting installation and the upcoming First Annual Gray Court Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“This tree has been part of our town’s story for nearly thirty years,” said Laura Cook, Gray Court Town Council member. “It’s more than a Christmas decoration—it’s a reminder of how small towns come together to make something beautiful happen. Thanks to the generosity of our local utilities, it will shine again for everyone to enjoy.”
The First Annual Gray Court Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Monday, November 24, at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street. Steam Coffee House from Fountain Inn will add an extra touch of warmth, serving hot chocolate to attendees during the ceremony. Around 150 free cups will be offered as families and neighbors gather to celebrate the tree’s return to its rightful place as the heart of Gray Court’s holiday season.
