Photo Gallery | SLIDESHOW: Bald Knob Cross prepared for lighting ceremony Dec. 22

ALTO PASS, IL (KFVS) - A lighting ceremony will be held on December 22 outside near the base of the Bald Knob Cross (inside if inclement weather) starting at 5 p.m. with the cross being lit at 5:30 p.m.

Bald Knob Cross President D.W. Presley says the re-lighting will complete the total restoration of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace which began in 2009. The newly restored cross will be lit with new LED lighting backed by a entirely new electrical infrastructure.

A student from the Shawnee Hills Christian Academy in Anna, Ill. will be chosen to "flip the switch" to turn on the lights to illuminate the cross. Members of the Cobden High School Choir will be singing at the event. There will be light refreshments served and visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair.

Presley says in addition to the many individuals and businesses who have donated funding during the restoration, the lighting project would not be possible without the donations of time, labor and equipment from the following organizations:

• All Electric Services, Inc. (Carbondale, Ill.)
• IBEW Local #702 (West Frankfort, Ill.)
• JMS Metals (Sparta, Ill.)
• Quadrant Design Architects & Planners (Waterloo & Sparta, Ill.)
• Superior Custom Builders (Sparta, Ill.)

Plans to continue improvements to the cross property are in the works beginning with a memorial paver garden that will encircle the cross. Information on purchasing a paver brick is available at www.baldknobcross.com.

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