The lighting of the Mount Rachel Star is a long-standing Christmas tradition that has been a part of the Dalton community for 89 years. The star, owned and maintained by Dalton Utilities, shines brightly from the beginning of December through New Year’s Day.
Each year, the honor of lighting the star is bestowed upon a descendant of Carl McCamy, a former superintendent of Dalton Utilities, or children of Dalton Utilities retirees.
“This year, family members of DU retiree Sandy Bennett were the honored guests and did a wonderful job lighting the star for the season. This is a longtime tradition that the community looks forward to each year,” said Dalton Utilities spokesperson Kay Phillips. “Searching the sky above Dalton for the star is a special part of the holidays for so many. It’s a beautiful sight that marks the beginning of Christmas. Throughout the years, many stories have been shared about the star: stories from adults who remember the feeling when seeing it for the first time as small children and those who grew up with the star as a memorable part of their holidays.”
The Mount Rachel Star has been a community tradition since 1935, when the late Carl McCamy had the wooden structure built. The temporary star structure was placed on top of Mount Rachel each December. It was lit every year after 1935, except during the blackouts in World War II.
In 1947, the original wooden structure was replaced with a permanent structure made of iron. Then, in 2005, the star was overhauled entirely by Dalton Utilities personnel. The star now measures 40 feet in diameter, towers 65 feet above the mountain, and has more than 230 LED bulbs, allowing the star to be seen from miles away through Jan. 1 to wish all a Merry Christmas.
Submitted by Dalton Utilities.