Edmonds welcomes the ho-ho-ho-holidays with annual tree lighting
Posted: November 25, 2023 492
Santa and Richard Taylor Jr. signal the official lighting of the tree at Centennial Plaza, located at 5th Avenue North and Bell Street.
Several hundred people gathered in downtown Edmonds Saturday for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, produced by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and presented by Comstock Jewelers.
Richard Taylor Jr. served as emcee for the traditional event, which featured live music, vendors selling treats and soup, visit from Santa and — of course — the ceremonial lighting of the tree.
Musicians perform before Santa’s arrival.Emcee Richard Taylor Jr.Several hundred attended the event.Santa greets the crowd.These two girls from the Neill family of Shoreline were excited to share the festivities with their little brother.Edmonds residents Michael, Elaine and Simon were attending their first tree lighting.L-R: College Place and Meadowdale Middle students Grace, Tatum, Emery, Norah, Hallelujah and Jasmine enjoy their treats offered by Pauline of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.Gillian from the Edmonds Chamber receives selfie texts from the crowd, whose names were then entered into a drawing.Santa and Emily the Elf pose with a group of children.
— Photos by Julia Wiese
BIG Christmas/Holiday decorations springing up everywhere, inescapable Christmas/Holiday “music” wherever you go – and it’s still November! I’m obviously a Grinch and a curmudgeon (a “Grinchmudgeon” perhaps?), but I long for the days when we arrived at December 25 unexhausted by over a month of artificial jollity and intrusive, universal commercialism, when trees and Christmas decorations went up a week or two before the 25th and still seemed fresh and wonderful on the day. I just can’t be ho-ho joyful that long!
Maybe we should begin Christmas as soon as Easter is over? Or maybe right after July 4th?
WOW! I’m surprised no one else responded to your comment. Well, let me tell you, there are lots of people who make the tree lighting and Small Business Saturday part of their Thanksgiving weekend plans.
As a former department store sales associate, I can tell you that retailers count on this time of year (September to December) to get them through the first three months of the new year.
Why yes, darn it, there is too much joy and too much Holiday Spirit
Maybe, just maybe, people need a little light and merriment during these dark days.
Richard…my family and I are new to Edmonds.
We were there for the Christmas tree lightning last month. I have to say that we had a blast! I loved it when you commented on the giving and caring spirit in the air… and you said “… how about we be like this all year long?” We all said “Yes!”.
Your singing was amazing too!
Thank you!
Niuvis
November 27th in 1924 was the first Macys Day Christmas Parade in New York City. I guess all people are different right? I clearly remember our family Christmas Tree going up the day after Thanksgiving as a child. I am old ha. So, I don’t think it is unusual at all. Yes, I do find it a bit commercialized when I see things for Christmas before Halloween. Ya, know it takes time for a city to decorate and prepare for this event in Edmonds and other places. It doesn’t just happen overnight. It must be ready for the children and the families and also for the charity events. These spots are a place not just for fun but also for giving. That too takes time to organize. They are also a place where people can shop and add to city coffers with their sales tax and support. This is the biggest season for commerce all year long everywhere in our country. Without it more cities and more business owners would fail. I hope this helps you understand the meaning of Christmas a bit better. Just do like I do on FB. Roll on by it, and don’t go where you don’t want to see it or stay home if you choose but ya don’t need to try to guilt trip others. Merry Christmas.
” This is the biggest season for commerce all year long everywhere in our country… I hope this helps you understand the meaning of Christmas a bit better. ”
And here I was, thinking it was a special and holy celebration of the birth of Christ.
Well, I didn’t want to get up all into the spiritual meaning. I know that. I celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas and every single day. In my prayers every night I pray for peace and love around the world and everyone here in our city. I pray they will stop being so rude and try to be just what our savior would want them to be. He gave us life the rest is up to us. but here many seem to not like that so much. Ya know don’t say Christmas Tree, Say Holiday Tree. Lots of different cultures who celebrate or don’t this time of year too. So, I didn’t want to bring that up and bring people out that might not agree with us Nathaniel. I wondered when I said that if someone would comment but I once again tried to consider everyone’s feelings and just provide some basic facts. Merry Christmas to you Nathaniel.
Be thankful you are not in Louisiana. Social norms say trees go up the day after Thanksgiving, after Christmas they are redecorated for Carnival…makes for a long season for a tree..
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BIG Christmas/Holiday decorations springing up everywhere, inescapable Christmas/Holiday “music” wherever you go – and it’s still November! I’m obviously a Grinch and a curmudgeon (a “Grinchmudgeon” perhaps?), but I long for the days when we arrived at December 25 unexhausted by over a month of artificial jollity and intrusive, universal commercialism, when trees and Christmas decorations went up a week or two before the 25th and still seemed fresh and wonderful on the day. I just can’t be ho-ho joyful that long!
Maybe we should begin Christmas as soon as Easter is over? Or maybe right after July 4th?
WOW! I’m surprised no one else responded to your comment. Well, let me tell you, there are lots of people who make the tree lighting and Small Business Saturday part of their Thanksgiving weekend plans.
As a former department store sales associate, I can tell you that retailers count on this time of year (September to December) to get them through the first three months of the new year.
Why yes, darn it, there is too much joy and too much Holiday Spirit
Maybe, just maybe, people need a little light and merriment during these dark days.
I hope you can find some joy this season.
Richard…my family and I are new to Edmonds.
We were there for the Christmas tree lightning last month. I have to say that we had a blast! I loved it when you commented on the giving and caring spirit in the air… and you said “… how about we be like this all year long?” We all said “Yes!”.
Your singing was amazing too!
Thank you!
Niuvis
November 27th in 1924 was the first Macys Day Christmas Parade in New York City. I guess all people are different right? I clearly remember our family Christmas Tree going up the day after Thanksgiving as a child. I am old ha. So, I don’t think it is unusual at all. Yes, I do find it a bit commercialized when I see things for Christmas before Halloween. Ya, know it takes time for a city to decorate and prepare for this event in Edmonds and other places. It doesn’t just happen overnight. It must be ready for the children and the families and also for the charity events. These spots are a place not just for fun but also for giving. That too takes time to organize. They are also a place where people can shop and add to city coffers with their sales tax and support. This is the biggest season for commerce all year long everywhere in our country. Without it more cities and more business owners would fail. I hope this helps you understand the meaning of Christmas a bit better. Just do like I do on FB. Roll on by it, and don’t go where you don’t want to see it or stay home if you choose but ya don’t need to try to guilt trip others. Merry Christmas.
” This is the biggest season for commerce all year long everywhere in our country… I hope this helps you understand the meaning of Christmas a bit better. ”
And here I was, thinking it was a special and holy celebration of the birth of Christ.
Putting the meaning of Christmas aside, the fact is there are only 12 days of Christmas, and none of them are in November.
Well, I didn’t want to get up all into the spiritual meaning. I know that. I celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas and every single day. In my prayers every night I pray for peace and love around the world and everyone here in our city. I pray they will stop being so rude and try to be just what our savior would want them to be. He gave us life the rest is up to us. but here many seem to not like that so much. Ya know don’t say Christmas Tree, Say Holiday Tree. Lots of different cultures who celebrate or don’t this time of year too. So, I didn’t want to bring that up and bring people out that might not agree with us Nathaniel. I wondered when I said that if someone would comment but I once again tried to consider everyone’s feelings and just provide some basic facts. Merry Christmas to you Nathaniel.
Be thankful you are not in Louisiana. Social norms say trees go up the day after Thanksgiving, after Christmas they are redecorated for Carnival…makes for a long season for a tree..