ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Hill Top Inn held its annual wreath lighting event on Monday night.

The historic restaurant lit up their massive wreath, which overlooks the City of Elmira. With the flip of a switch, it was brought to life! But this year's event was a little different because of the pandemic.

Instead of one single lighting event, the wreath was lit every half hour with a small group nearby, so it can be done safely without large gatherings.

Hill Top Inn owner Mike Sullivan says it's important to keep the tradition alive. He said, "So many things have been cancelled and lost and people are really looking for something to do and we just felt, and we had some push from the community members that said we really want this process, and within three days of us announcing this, we sold out."

The Hill Top Inn has been lighting the wreath every year since 1979.