CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The annual University of Virginia Lighting of the Lawn will take place Friday night and, unlike years, past it’s the only holiday lighting ceremony going on in town.

This year is a landmark 25th lighting, a tradition that started in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks as a means to foster unity.

That year was a simple candlelight vigil which has now evolved into a holiday light show involving the Rotunda, and a totally student-organized event featuring performances by student groups and individuals.

The organizers in a website posting said, “As the event enters its 25th year, we look forward to upholding the origins and traditions of Lighting of the Lawn.”

The 25th Lighting of the Lawn is called “Remix”, described as “a tribute to our traditions, transformed”.

“It respects where we’ve been while shining a light on where we’re going.”

“Rooted in resilience, driven by creativity, and powered by community, Remix invites us to reimagine what it means to come together, to remember, and to celebrate.”

Years past, the Lighting of the Lawn has happened on the same first Friday in December that the Downtown Mall Grand Illumination has happened.

But with this year’s downtown event cancelled at this time, this year it’s only the Lighting of the Lawn happening.