ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tuesday evening, the community gathered to light Escanaba’s Christmas tree.
Delta County residents filled the Center Court to count down to the start of the holidays. Weather conditions were too wet for the City Band to perform, so the Players de Noc led the crowd in singing Christmas carols.
The ornaments on the Christmas tree were decorated by third graders at Escanaba Upper Elementary School. Many of those students brought their families to see their work all lit up.
“I think it’s really fun for your family to experience that you get to make a Christmas ornament and put it on the town Christmas tree,” said third grader Lilianah. “I think it’s just really, really fun.”
“It’s pretty cool having an ornament on the Christmas tree,” said Madeline, a fourth grader who participated last year.
“I just wanted to come out to hang out with my friends and family,” added their friend Lauren.
Santa himself attended the tree lighting to take photos and to ask children what they wanted for Christmas. Attendees also enjoyed cookies and cocoa at the Escanaba DDA building, as well as limousine rides through the downtown.
The tree lighting coincided with Black Friday on Tuesday, which kicks off the holiday shopping season a few days early and encourages patrons to shop locally. To read that story, click here.
