Virginia Tech Electric Service team creates switch to light up the holidays

For this year’s Winter Lights Festival in downtown Blacksburg, employees of the Virginia Tech Electric Service created a homemade light switch to help light up the town tree this past Friday.

Virginia Tech Electric Service has been a part of the event since the early 1960s.

This year, to continue to build relationships within the community and showcase that Virginia Tech Electric Service is more than just an electrical provider to the community, the team constructed the light switch for the tree lighting ceremony. The idea was a way to highlight the team’s commitment to being a community partner that provides exceptional service to customers.

“Enhanced engagement in the tree lighting and parade meant that the department was involved in a fun community experience while also collaborating with various stakeholders within the Division of Facilities, the broader university, and the Town of Blacksburg,” said Eric Tatum '84, director of Virginia Tech Electric Service.

In addition to the light switch, Virginia Tech Electric Service put a decorated bucket truck in the Holly, Jolly, Parade for the first time, driven by Mike Blakenship, lead powerline worker.

“What an event,” said Melissa Wrenn, business office manager. “And if this does not get you in the Christmas spirit nothing will.”