Tree lighting makes it official — holiday season has arrived
By Kathryn Reed
It’s definitely the holiday season in South Lake Tahoe now that Santa has turned on the lights on the community tree and the menorah has been lighted.
With nearly 200 people gathered in the center of town by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Center satellite office, student choir groups sang carols. Paul Kushner led the ensemble, with some participation from the crowd gathered in the chilly night air Dec. 3.
Dillon Breckenridge, 5, of South Lake Tahoe tells Santa his Christmas wish. Photos/Kathryn Reed
Breaking with tradition just a bit, Dwight Borges led his two Belgian draft horses to the front of the building to drop off Santa. This led the younger ones in the crowd to cheer and ask for hugs from the man in red and white. He obliged a bit before being escorted to his duties to light the tree.
Sydney Morris was standing out back waiting for Santa’s arrival. The sixth-grader has been coming out for the festivities since she was in third grade. Her favorite part of the night is the tree lighting.
New LED lights eliminated the threat of a strand not lighting – like last year. Oversized wreaths, candy canes and balls adorn the large pine.
Santa made his way inside the center where Ethan Niven was his helper – handing out little items to all those who spoke to Santa.
One of the first to sit on the big guy’s lap was Dillon Breckenridge. The 5-year-old is hoping his stocking is filled with a Woody doll from “Toy Story.”
