Fircrest is a town of roughly 7,000 residents surrounded on three sides by Tacoma and on the other by University Place. Conceived as a subdivision in 1907, the town has grown from it's original 300 residents. I'd never attended a tree lighting ceremony before but because Fircrest is only 10 minutes from home and Tom's Dickens Carolers quartet was singing, I decided to go. Not sure of exactly what to expect, I arrived early and there were only a few people in the park, huddled in the cold and dark. A little reminiscent of an Easter Vigil service. The Christmas music playing let me know that I was in the right place. Soon quite a crowd had assembled in the dark looking up and waiting. The Carolers began to sing.
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming. (in a bed surrounding the flagpole.) Anticipation filled the air as the Mayor addressed the crowd, welcomed everyone and praised the recent triumph of the local swim team. The fire and rescue chaplain led the crowd in a prayer after which the assembly joined the carolers in singing the national anthem.
A child led a countdown and at zero, not only the tree but many trees and shrubs in the park were lit. "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."
The carolers began singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" and in the distance sirens blared and lights flashed as police cars and fire engines driven by reindeer, snowmen, and other interesting characters approached.
They were escorting a special guest.
The vehicles led the crowd to a recreational building near the park where hot cocoa was served, the carolers continued to perform and pose for pictures with kids. Cheerleaders from one of the schools performed and folks were thrilled.
It felt like something out of one of those Hallmark Christmas movies set in a sweet little town. What a nice tradition.
Maybe next year I'll check out Tacoma's tree lighting and see how it compares.
Do you/have you ever attended a tree lighting?
"in the distance sirens blared and lights flashed as police cars and fire engines driven by reindeer, snowmen, and other interesting characters approached"...OMG this sounds like a horror movie! ;)
ReplyDeleteI used to attend the tree lighting ceremony in Westlake Park, downtown Seattle. It was on Black Friday and was so much fun, a big outdoor party. Of course that was back in the day when Black Friday wasn't the zoo it is now. Those were the days...
Our noteworthy tree lighting is the huge tree inside the Sate Capitol downtown. But this week, the lighting ceremony was drowned out by citizens protesting the action of the GOP-controlled legislature, a group of devils no longer in disguise.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely event, when you weren't sure what to expect. The likeness to a "Hallmark Christmas movies set" is spot on!
ReplyDeleteI rarely venture out in those freezing temperatures... I'm glad you do, and that you report back.
We attended the combination Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival back in Massachusetts in the town we lived in. It was a similar celebration, with town officials and police and fire department participation. The trees on the town common used to be strung and lit every year at Christmastime. It was a very cold and snowy night. We only did it once, when Iain was little.
ReplyDeleteWhat an old-timey delight! It's nice to know that communities like that still exist.
ReplyDeleteI have attended a tree lighting, but this one sounds more delightful than any I have been to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun event! We have something like this in our town, but I never go because I don't like to stand out in the cold (it's a little chillier here than in your locale ;-) ). But it looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteReading your description, I feel as if I've been there, and it does seem like a Hallmark moment. Thank you for adding a lot of Christmas cheer for me, too!
ReplyDeleteThe Carolers sure do make things seem picturesque. Their outfits are like Charles Dickens intended. I have never attended a tree lighting. Sounds like fun. It would sure put you into the spirit of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love those small town feel holiday lighting parades, reminds me of 'A Christmas Story' (love that movie– "You'll shoot your eye out kid!"). Our very SMALL town has a lighting/carol sing every year, where maybe a dozen folks show up, but I haven't gone in many years. It was more fun when my kids were little.
ReplyDeleteJudy remembers singing "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming" in grade school, except that her and other smart aleck kids used to sing "Lo, how a nose e'er blowing."
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