Rejoice this Season!
Dec 15, 2022 12:00AM ● By Story by Elise Spleiss
Innova became a star at last year's tree lighting when his photo, at 20 weeks old, appeared on the front page of the Citrus Heights Messenger. Innova seen here with parents Steve and Jessica, now a lot larger at 18 months old, loving on Santa at his photo shoot. Photo by Elise Spleiss
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Matches 25th City Anniversary
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - A full moon, and comfortable temperatures in the mid-50s brought out hundreds of families from Citrus Heights and beyond to enjoy the 25th Citrus Heights tree lighting celebration on December 6, 2022. Traditionally scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, the date was moved to Tuesday in respect of the commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day on December 7.
As is tradition, the full Citrus Heights Community Marching Band performed a 30-minute concert getting attendees ready for the evening of fun.
According to Meghan Huber, Economic Development and Community Engagement Director, “well over 1,500 attendees” came out to help celebrate this 25th year of cityhood. Children of all ages, parents, grandparents and others descended upon city hall for an evening of family fun.
Emcee Julie Jingle was back leading the evening and the countdown to Santa’s flipping the switch to light the 23-foot-tall redwood tree, signaling the official start to the holiday season. Attendees have enjoyed the tree full of multicolored lights and huge ornaments for seven years since it was planted in front of a new city hall in 2016.
In one of her final official duties as mayor, Mayor Porsche Middleton greeted the crowd, introduced City Manager Ash Feeney and Police Chief Alex Turcotte and spoke of the importance of our neighborhoods working together to better our city.
Again, this year there were many community groups on hand to support all the activities and fun. Volunteers from the Resident Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), Citrus Heights Neighborhood Associations along with Mesa Verde high school Key Club students served cocoa, cider and cookies. Local Citrus Heights coffee roaster American River Roasters was also on hand serving their signature coffee. Sacramento Metro Fire brought out a fire engine, and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) truck.
Sunrise MarketPlace provided the cast of holiday characters bringing cheer, including the two-story tall Rudolph and the toy soldier keeping watch over the festivities. Citrus Heights Kiwanis hosted the kids holiday craft table, and Citrus Heights Purple Pageant beauty queens handed out candy canes to attendees. Tamara Barbu-Brown, Miss Citrus Heights Pageant director and The HeartShine Foundation was present with her princesses and ambassadors.
For the third year Citrus Heights Police Activities League (CHPAL) coordinated the return of decorated Christmas trees with this year’s theme, “Miracle on Fountain Square Drive Forest.” Two adjoining rooms and a patio were filled with over two dozen trees decorated with love by businesses and community organizations along with community partners from Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Citrus Heights. A perfect photo opportunity!
Trees included the Community Marching Band, Sacramento County Health, G&T Truck Repair, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE), Sunrise Marketplace, and a new, colorful tree by Raising Cane’s Restaurant. Once again even the Grinch snuck in to steal a tree!
Kids also wrote Letters to Santa, made buttons of their personal artwork, and had their faces painted all in Santa’s workshop.
No one seemed to mind as long lines were once again out the door for the mini train ride, photos with Santa and viewing of the decorated Christmas trees, both inside city hall. Outside more lines formed for free cookies, cocoa and hot cider. New this year was the brand-new Community Block Party Trailer ready to come to your neighborhood to help you enjoy time with your neighbors!
