Students from Great Falls Elementary School perform. Photo by Steve Hibbard.
Several hundred people came out for the Great Falls Celebration of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Great Falls Village Centre. A tradition since the 1980s, the event includes musical entertainment from local schools, a petting zoo, pony rides, a live nativity, and the highlight when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by antique fire engine to light the Christmas tree. The tree was planted by Bob Moore at the request of his wife who always wanted to have a village Christmas tree. The three schools that performed were Forestville, Great Falls, and Colvin Run Elementary. Also performing were Village Green Day School, King’s Kids, Siena Academy, and Creche Preschool.
"What I love most about the event is that it brings our community together -- every age — it's building memories of being able to participate, whether you're a volunteer or the tiniest little singer or the Boy Scouts that come and help set up and clean up," said Erin Lobato, Director of the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation, which organized the event. "It really gets our entire community coming together and helping out to create a really fun evening for everyone."