Christmastime in Citrus Heights
Dec 22, 2018 12:00AM ● By By Elise SpleissAs beautiful as it gets. Merry Christmas! Photo courtesy Janet Schaefer
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB), dancing mice, strolling carolers, and of course Santa Claus and his elves were highlights of the annual Citrus Heights Tree Lighting ceremony at City Hall on December 6.
A 12-foot Rudolph the Reindeer overlooked festivities as hundreds of excited children and their families spent an evening enjoying the good weather, games, music, refreshments and entertainment.
As is tradition, the 50-piece Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB) started off the event for early attendees with a 30-minute concert of traditional holiday tunes. Jingle Julie again led the crowd in Christmas songs and Mayor Steve Miller welcomed all. At 6:30 Miller led the countdown as he and Santa hit the switch to light the majestic 23-foot redwood tree. City Manager Chris Boyd and other city council members were also in attendance.
‘Other Cheek’ face painting by Sue created dozens of festive feline faces. Area pageant princesses and ambassadors working with director Tamara Baru-Brown mingled with the crowd along with the Christmas Mice and members of Encore, an all-female A Capella Singers.
A taste of Europe was provided by costumed members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., authentic re-enactors of life in 17th century Europe.
Lines formed quickly for the complimentary cookies, hot apple cider the cocoa provided by TLC Caterers, and the miniature train that made continuous loops around the parking lot. Kids of all sizes loved jumping around in the two large bounce house snow globes. Inside the city hall foyer, long lines formed for a photo opportunity with Santa and his elves.
This is the third Christmas for the ‘new’ city hall which opened for business on August 9, 2016. The permanent Christmas tree was planted near the main entrance to city hall during the building’s construction in 2015 and 2016. The tree can be seen with lights on day and night at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
Sponsors of the event were Republic Services, Boost Mobile, and Sunrise Marketplace.