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Christmas tree lighting at The Pike kicks off holiday season

A crowd of about 100 people gathered in front of the Ferris wheel at The Pike in Long Beach Sunday night for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

The lighting of the 30-foot, 2,200-pound Rainbow Harbor Holidays Christmas tree represented the start of the holidays. Decorated with more than 3,000 lights and 600 ornaments, the Christmas tree stood in front of the Laugh Factory and Borders.

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal officially lit the holiday tree and recognized the Menorah and Kwanzaa displays that surrounded it.

The Lakewood High School choir entertained the audience with a set of Christmas carols, ranging from “White Christmas” to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Guests were given complimentary jingle bell necklaces at the ceremony to participate as the choir sang “Jingle Bells.” The audience was interactive and many joined the choir in singing the Christmas carols.

“I thought it was really festive,” Lakewood High School student Solina Kim said. “The lighting of the tree is sort of the symbol for the holiday season that has arrived.”

Santa Claus made an appearance by arriving on top of a Long Beach Fire Department truck. The fire truck made a few trips around The Pike and flashed its lights while Santa Claus shouted, “Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!”

“He sure knows how to arrive in style,” said bystander Andy Ortiz, a Long Beach native.

Not only did Santa Claus make an appearance that night, but the shark mascot from the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific also arrived at the ceremony.

“The shark was a good way to get people to know about the aquarium,” said Stella Clayton, mother of a member of the Lakewood High choir. “My daughter is begging me to go now because she thinks the shark is cute.”

The shark was joined by the pig mascot from the restaurant Famous Daves. Many took pictures with the mascots in front of the Christmas tree or in the surrounding ships that were lit up.

Although the ceremony was short and lasted only a little more than 45 minutes, the crowd seemed to enjoy it and have a good time.

“I’m glad it was short and sweet,” said Aaron Gladstone, Long Beach resident. “It was too cold to be out anyway.”

 


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