SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Conn Equipment Rental Company, headquartered on Hwy 280, is not just your go-to for crane rentals, rigging, and machinery moving; it’s also home to a heartwarming Christmas tradition that has become a community staple for over three decades.
The tradition, known as the “Conn Stocking Hanging,” started modestly with a snowflake three decades ago but quickly transformed into a legendary stocking that adorns a crane truck each holiday season.
The exact number of times the stocking has been hung seems to escape the Conn family members, with estimates ranging from 33 to 34 years.
The idea was sparked by family matriarch “Nana,” described as the embodiment of Boston Waltz Christmas. The tradition began with a simple snowflake and evolved into a massive stocking, now a symbol of the Christmas spirit in the community.
“We’re busy now, comparatively to ten years ago, but we look forward to it every year,” said Richard Conn, the company’s President.
The stocking initially took around six hours to build, and the LED lights on it have to be replace every three years.
The crane-mounted stocking has become so iconic that community members eagerly await its annual appearance, with inquiries towards Jacob and Jackson Conn starting as early as Dec. 10 each year.
The Conn family, including Vice President Frank Conn and Treasurer Alan Conn, express joy in continuing this heartwarming tradition, reflecting the Christmas spirit and community camaraderie that defines the holiday season in Sylacauga, Childersburg, and throughout Talladega County.
