by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo courtesy of Carol Larsen, and used with permission.)
OK–one more time here.
And by no means are these the ONLY Christmas-tree lighting ceremonies scheduled for this next week, in California! (Just an attempt to do justice to a few of the festivities, in our very festive state!)
FERNDALE
December 6, 2015, 5:30 pm – Lighting of America’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree
Where better to celebrate Christmas and community than a Victorian village–with the nation’s tallest living Christmas tree?
That would be the Victorian village of Ferndale.
I can’t wait to see this one firsthand. According to their website, the entire town turns out to celebrate the lighting of their Christmas tree, at the end of Main Street. A town tradition since 1934, festivities include a program featuring the Boy Scouts, Chameleon Singers, Booster Band and more.
So, how tall is this tree? Reports vary, but “more than 150 feet” would be an accurate assessment. Prior to the lighting ceremony, Ferndale’s volunteer fire department deck out the tree with approximately 1,000 colored lights.
Free cocoa and cookies follow the lighting festivities. BUT, you might like to be on hand long before that.
Ferndale makes a day of their community celebration, with their 46th annual “Christmas Celebration in Song” beginning at Assumption Church at 3:00 that afternoon. The program, consisting of both sacred and secular Christmas music from all over the world, concludes in time for everyone to get to the tree-lighting ceremony.
And be ready for food and festivity thereafter. Ferndale’s Portuguese Hall hosts a traditional Portuguese dinner of beans and linguica, from 5 to 8 that evening.
Ferndale’s “Lighting of America’s Tallest Christmas Tree” starts at 5:30 pm, Saturday, December 5th, at Main Street at Ocean. And if you’re staying in the Ferndale area, be sure you’re around on Saturday evening, December 13th, for their 23rd Annual Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade!
SOLVANG:
December 4, 2015, 5:00 pm – Solvang Julefest Community Tree Lighting Ceremony
Free live entertainment and a caroling sing-a-long kick off Solvang’s annual “Julefest” celebration in Solvang Park.
The program will include performances by the Valley Wind Ensemble, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Vocal Ensemble, and Solvang School Band. Then, there will be a ballet performance, courtesy of Fossemalle Dance Studio, just before 2014 Julefest Grand Marshal Chef Bethany Markee of Solvang Elementary School steps up to light up the Community Christmas Tree for Christmas season 2015.
Rumor has it that a certain gentleman in a red suit will also be on hand, for visits after the tree comes alive and for the following morning’s Julefest parade. And plan on strolling through Solvang; to see their Julefest Living Christmas Tree display: live decorated fir trees at more than 130 businesses throughout the village
Solvang’s Julefest Community Christmas Tree Lighting happens Friday, December 4, 2105, at 5:00 pm in Solvang Park, on the corner of Mission Drive and First Street.
(Photograph courtesy of City of Orange, and used with permission.)
ORANGE:
December 6, 2015, 3:30 pm – 21st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession.
Festivities start at 3:30, with the shops of Old Towne Orange all dressed up with greenery and twinkling lights. Nonprofit groups will be on hand, offering food and youth activities at a nominal charge.
Then, at 5:15, the main musical program starts, with a candlelight choir procession. The 350-voice Orange Community Master Chorale and full symphony orchestra, led by Michael Short, will lead visitors in singing Christmas carols, just before the lights come on to mark the start of Christmas 2015 in the City of Orange.
The City of Orange’s 21st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession happens on Sunday evening, December 6, 2015, at Old Towne Orange Plaza, 134 South Glassell Street, between West Almond and West Chapman. The celebration starts at 3:30 pm, with the main program beginning at 5:15 pm.