Aglow with Christmas spirit
Community members kick off holiday season at 39th annual Christmas Tree lighting downtown
Hundreds gathered at Centennial Park Friday evening for the 39th Annual community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“It is a blessing to have you here and be here together as we celebrate and usher into this Christmas season,” said Pastor Steve Walker from the Valley Oak Community Church as he faced the crowd, then turned to face the Ross Gardner tree, which has been a beacon of the community’s Christmas spirit for the past 39 years.
The 75-foot-tall deodar cedar was planted over 60 years ago in honor Porterville Fire Chief Ross Gardner, who served the city for 51 years.
Michelle Sanchez and her son Albert were both sitting and singing along with the Christmas carols.
“This is the third year I’ve come out, and it’s absolutely fantastic,” Sanchez said. “My son enjoys this season, and I think it’s special to see the spirit light up here in town.”
Ross said her favorite part of the night was to listen to the music as they waited to turn on the Christmas tree.
As the hundreds of community members gathered, the Strathmore High School Woodwind Quintet played some prelude music.
some prelude music.
After Pastor Walker's welcome the ceremony continued with performances by Ethan, Emma and Wyatt Burkhart from the Barn Theater Junior Company, who sang ‘Come Little Children.'
Josh and Gina Day, Emmy Lou and Bobby Dowling and the Porterville Community Strings all sang Christmas carols like ‘Away in a Manger,' ‘It's All About the Cross,' Joy to the World,' and ‘O Holy Night' to get the Christmas spirit going.
Before the official lighting, Pastor Walker gave a special message about the holidays and the meaning of the Christmas light.
At 6:40 p.m., the Ross Gardner Tree lit up with bright colorful Christmas lights as those in attendance sang ‘Silent Night.'
The public was invited to stay for hot cocoa and cookies provided by Humble and Kind Community Outreach and the Gathering Ministry.
Samantha Benson, from Humble and Kind Community Outreach said this is their second year giving out free cookies.
“We absolutely love it. It gives all of us the warmth in our hearts and makes us all feel good,” Benson said. “We can give more and pay it forward. We helped somebody out, and maybe they'll be able to give and help somebody else out.”
Marla Neese and Dolores Nicholson, part of the Gathering Ministry, were there to pass out the hot cocoa.
“We like it because it connects us with the community. You get to see people you haven't seen for a long time,” Neese said. “It's time for giving, that's what the season is about.”
Nicholson added, “I think it's a blessing that we can all come out and celebrate the Birth of Christ and give free cocoa because it is cold. We just enjoy it.”
Both Benson, Neese and Nicholson said they had more cookies and hot cocoa because the number of people coming out has been increasing. Benson said they planned to give out 500 cookies, and Neese said they were planning to give out 700 cups of hot cocoa.
With a lit Ross Gardner Christmas tree downtown, the Christmas spirit feels like it has officially begun, and the community can check it out at the Porterville City Hall or Centennial Park.