Lighting Up South Rocky Mount One Neighborhood at a Time

Tip Top Park, located at 1912 S. Church Street in South Rocky Mount, is more than a neighborhood green space—it’s a place where neighbors gather, children play, and community traditions take root. Each year, the park becomes a hub of warmth and celebration during the South Rocky Mount Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved event that brings residents together to celebrate the season and one another.

This year’s celebration will take place on Thursday, December 18, with festivities beginning at 5:30 PM. Families and neighbors are invited to enjoy a cozy evening filled with holiday cheer, leading up to the lighting of the Christmas tree at Tip Top Park.

Guests can expect a welcoming, festive atmosphere complete with firepits and heaters, chili, cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider, and hands-on fun at ornament and mini-tree decorating stations. The evening will also feature carols by candlelight, creating a reflective and joyful moment before the tree is illuminated for the season.

Building Shalom and the Spirit of Community

While Tip Top Park itself is a locally managed community space, the values it represents—connection, belonging, and neighborhood pride—closely align with the mission of Building Shalom, a Rocky Mount-based nonprofit dedicated to neighborhood revitalization in South Rocky Mount.

Building Shalom’s work began with a focus on restoring blighted homes and expanding access to safe, quality housing. Over time, the organization’s mission has grown to emphasize resident-driven neighborhood development and community well-being, recognizing that strong neighborhoods are built not only through housing, but through shared spaces, relationships, and opportunities to come together.

Although Building Shalom does not manage Tip Top Park directly, its support of community-centered initiatives reflects the same commitment to creating environments where neighbors feel welcome, connected, and invested in the place they call home. Events like the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting highlight how intentional partnerships and community engagement help neighborhoods flourish.

A Celebration That Means More

Brenda Cooper, owner of Tip Top Park and President of the South Rocky Mount Community Organization, has long championed the park as a place for neighbors to connect and celebrate. Events like the Christmas Tree Lighting offer families an opportunity to slow down, meet one another, and create meaningful memories close to home.

As Tip Top Park lights up this December, the glow will reflect more than holiday decorations—it will shine on the strength of a neighborhood that continues to come together, celebrate together, and grow together.

Event Details

📅 Thursday, December 18 

🕠 Festivities begin at 5:30 PM 

📍 Tip Top Park – 1912 S. Church Street

Hosted by: South Rocky Mount Community Organization

Sponsored by: Building Shalom