Residents celebrate San Gabriel’s Christmas tree at the city’s 36th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Photo by Jim E. Winburn
Mayor Kevin B. Sawkins told the crowd at the 36th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony that it was the largest turnout he had ever seen at the event.
Leading up to the Christmas tree lighting, students from the Jefferson Middle School Orchestra and Choir, along with the Dewey Elementary School and Mission Elementary School choirs, entertained folks with traditional holiday songs and performances.
The lighting of the Christmas tree served as a reminder to residents that despite any hardships, the spirit of recovery is always within reach because of the charity found in our community.
Speaking to the crowd of onlookers, Sawkins explained how last year’s windstorm had affected everyone in the city, as well as the San Gabriel Valley. “And our Christmas tree that we light every year was also a victim,” the mayor said. “It came down in the windstorm last year.”
Sawkins thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for quickly locating and planting another pine tree to replace last year’s fallen one. He also thanked the San Gabriel Taiwanese Lions Club, who rose to the occasion by donating $3,000 to cover the cost of the city’s new Christmas tree.
The mayor also announced that local resident Molina Gonzalez won the raffle for the Sparks of Love toy drive. Her ticket was randomly picked by Vice Mayor Mario De La Torre, awarding her and three guests to ride a vintage fire truck with Santa Claus through San Gabriel neighborhoods from Dec. 20 through 23. Check Parks and Recreation’s “Holiday Events” link on the city’s website at www.sangabrielcity.com for times and routes.
Those who donated new and unwrapped toys to the Fire Department’s Spark of Love program were entered into the raffle.
After the mayor announced the lighting of the tree, Santa Claus arrived atop his light-adorned vintage fire truck, waving to a cheering crowd while under a police escort.
