Hobart Lights Up The Night With Their Annual Tree Lighting

Hobart Lights Up The Night With Their Annual Tree Lighting

The evergreen tree is an ancient symbol of life. The decoration and illumination of the tree in the holiday spirit is a tradition that transcends culture, religion, and demographic. Hobart has adopted this tradition as their own for six consecutive years.

The Friendly City held their 2016 tree lighting ceremony on the second evening of December.

Dozens of children gathered with Mayor Brian Snedecor to countdown the miraculous moment. Their parents, friends, and neighbors made a larger ring around them, exuberant despite the brisk weather.

“We are really bonded here,” said Hobart resident, Ana Reyes. “When we see each other on the street, we wave. We say ‘hi.’ So being here and lighting the tree together, is a family event.”

The City of Hobart shares six major events with their residents throughout the year, most of them on the warmer half of the calendar.

Hobart Events Director Nikki Lopez said, “This is a great event for us to enjoy the community and the people in it. It’s a way to get together in the winter season, when there is not much else going on.”

The Tree Lighting Ceremony provided many ways for the community to interact with each other. They could craft jewelry and ornaments together in the Community building. Others could share a ride on a Winter carriage, or take a photo with Santa Claus. When the gathers were ready to relax on the sprawling hill of Festival Park , the film, A Christmas Story was playing on a constructed screen.

“It brightens us up,” said Sarah Saalwaechter, a local mother. “It gets the kids excited and puts all of us in a better, more joyful mood. It’s something everyone can come do together.”

Her family’s tradition is to decorate their household Christmas tree with the ornaments they have made over the years. It lets them see their progress through life. Saalwaechter’s mother did it with her, when she was a child.

Karen Piatek, another Hobart resident, lights two trees at her home as a tribute to the two wooden pieces of Jesus’ cross.

She lights a third at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. A tradition she shares with over three hundred guests.

Mayor Snedecor said, “We’re grateful for another blessed year. The people being blessed, but also the city is blessed as a whole by things that have happened. We’ve made improvements to our community, our quality of life. A lot of times we don’t get a chance to come together and talk in a relaxed environment, a festive environment, so to do this is a chance for people of all ages to come together. [It’s] the excitement of the children, the lights illuminating, seeing it in their faces. And Christmas Spirit. It gives everyone the chance to feel connected.”

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