WRAL-TV Tower Lighting Brightens the Holidays 45th Annual lighting was focus of half hour special broadcast

WRAL-TV's Gerald Owens, David Crabtree, and Debra Morgan emceed the event.

WRAL-TV's follow up to last year's initial broadcast of the annual lighting of its 300-foot television tower was a spirited occasion. The program, broadcast at 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 was hosted by WRAL-TV Anchors David Crabtree, Debra Morgan and Gerald Owens.

WRAL-TV's David Crabtree gets all starry-eyed

The trio emceed the activities and counted down to the tower lighting shortly before 7:30pm. The broadcast included a special video feature of David Crabtree climbing the tower to help check and change bulbs. To the amusement of the audience, Crabtree and Morgan also donned "3-D" style glasses while on-air which, when viewed through, produced a star burst effect when viewing the Christmas lights.

The Capital Ambassadors

St. Francis Brass Band

Musical guests included the St. Francis Brass Band,of which WRAL-TV Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel is a member, and the singing group, The Capital Ambassadors, consisting of college and high school students from around the state. Both displayed their musical talents playing and singing traditional Christmas songs to the delight of the crowd that gathered to witness the event.

The live audience enjoys the festivities outside the WRAL-TV studio.

2,890 lights adorn the tower, which is topped with a lighted star and flashing numeral "5".

WRAL-TV's Tim King counts down to the big event

POSTED: December 3, 2004