Throwback Thursday: Christmas comes to town

In November 2002, the City of Poplar Bluff held a city Christmas tree lighting ceremony for the first time in decades. Former Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce director, Ed Dust formed a committee of prominent community leaders to purchase four 24 foot Christmas trees to decorate the Butler County Courthouse lawn and other areas throughout the city. The city water tower, which once stood on Westwood Boulevard, was also lit for the occasion. The trees were illuminated on Nov. 22. 2002 and remained lit until after New Years Day.