ORANGEVALE, CA (MPG) - Once again, families young and old came out to celebrate the 17th Annual Orangevale Christmas Tree Lighting! Nearly 1000 spectators came to the Orangevale Community Center to enjoy the annual tradition which included musical performances from Kidz Korner Preschool, Casa Rams Jr. Cheer, Rainwater Music Co, Casa and Pasteur bands and the Rhythm Club Band.

Buddy the Elf was back from the North Pole to emcee the evening along with Santa, who did the honors of lighting the Christmas tree in front of a packed crowd of cheerful onlookers. Barry Ross, OV Parks Administrator and Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost were there to celebrate the evening and assist in the official countdown of the tree lighting.

Santa visited with many good little boys and girls for as long as he could until it was time for the evening's finale. He came out to a cheering crowd and high fived the circle of excited fans before getting in the bucket provided by Easy Stumps tree service to be hoisted to the top of the giant community tree.

Before Santa left to get back to the North Pole, we asked him about his most memorable moments of his visit to Orangevale. While stroking his beard he said, Noel was most impressed with the thoughtful and contemplative responses to the question, “How can Santa make Christmas better for them this year?” One child asked for more time with family, another asked for a job for his mom and a few others asked for snow! My heart was filled with joy!”

Special thanks to Darren Lang of Easy Stumps for providing the lift for Santa as well as these local business sponsors: Orangevale Water Company for the Choo Choo Express Train, the Orangevale Grange for providing hot dogs, the Orangevale History Project for serving popcorn, the Orangevale Chamber of Commerce for assisting Santa, the Orangevale Women’s Club for their fabulous cookies, Les Schwab for donating water, and Orangevale Food Bank, Party in No Time, Advance America and Casa Interact Club for sponsoring activity booths for the kids!

The evening was capped off with the cheering crowd helping Santa with the countdown, and the giant tree lighting up perfectly on cue for all to see! It was a great evening of community coming together to celebrate! Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!