Despite the rain earlier in the day, the tallest tree in Piedmont Park lit up the sky at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec 5.
Mayor John Chiang opened the ceremony by welcoming the Piedmonters of all ages who were in attendance to the “fortieth-plus” tree lighting ceremony.
“This is one of my favorite events in the city during the year,” Mayor Chang said.
Sophomore Dylan Miller agreed. “I went because I love these small town things, and it only happens once a year, so why not?” Miller said.
Boy Scout Troop #1 served shortbread cookies and hot apple cider, which was donated by Piedmont Grocery.
“I come mostly for the cider,” senior Emily Serleth said.
The Piedmont High School Troubadours sang several Christmas carols following Mayor Chiang’s speech, culminating in a sing-along rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The main event of the evening was the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa greeted the children gathered around his podium with a “Merry Christmas” until he was struck by the realization that the tree was missing something.
“What’s it missing? The lights! There are no lights!” Santa said. He then led all of the children present in a countdown, culminating in a long three, two, one as the kids lit the tree’s rainbow lights with “magic fingers.”
After the ceremony, everyone present was invited to the Piedmont Community Church Guild Hall for more Christmas caroling and Christmas cookies.