25th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 1 at the Carslbad Village Faire Shopping Center

By Robby Robinson via http://www.carlsbadrotary.com/Stories

This year's festivities will happen on Sunday-December 1st with activities planned from 2:30PM-5PM. Santa will arrive at the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center at 2:45 P.M. for pictures and hints for what the children want for Christmas.

We encourage the parents to bring your cameras and smart phones this year because Santa can no long find film for his Polaroid.

This year marks the 25th year of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad hosting the annual City of Carlsbad Christmas Tree Lighting event. Starting in 1988, the first tree lighting location was in Rotary Park at the Calrsbad Village Faire. The first tree made national headlines because the tree died and it had to be spray painted to keep it "alive".

 The driving force behind this event was to enable local children to get a picture with Santa Claus and share the joy and excitement of the Christmas holiday season. Over the years the location for the tree lighting has moved from the Carlsbad fountain, to the old Blockbuster parking lot, to its present home at the south end of Carlsbad Village Faire.

This annual traditional event begins with the arrival of Santa by fire engine after which the family can take in a delightful Holiday program, concluding with Mayor Matt Hall lighting the Holiday Tree. 

Free coffee & hot cider, tasty cookies, and free pictures for the first 350 children 8 years & younger. This wonderful city event is proudly sponsored by The Rotary of Carlsbad and numerous others local businesses.