Many first-timers enjoy holiday tradition

The opening of the official holiday season was colorful and inspirational Friday night as a couple of hundred people braved the cold and flocked to Centennial Park for Porterville’s 31st annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

In attendance was Reuben Gomez with his three grandchildren — Cambria, 9, Steven, 5, and Keylier, 3.

“This is the first time out to see this. I wanted to bring the grandchildren to hear the music and let them see the tree light up,” Gomez said. “It’s really good for the community to do this, it gets everyone out and into the spirit of Christmas.”

Sponsored by the Porterville Area Ministerial Association, the celebration included a welcome and Christmas message by the Rev. John Eby of the First Congregational Church, an invocation by Pastor Ron Gerking of Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Monache Chamber Choir — including a solo by Jonathan Schalembier and a duet by Carl Cubero and Christina Martinez — and a few numbers by the Porterville Community Hand bell Choir.

“It’s a nice crowd,” said Denise Marchant, a developer associate with the City of Porterville and the original organizer of the event. “It rained last year so it was hard to judge how many to expect. There’s also a lot of people at the [PHS football] playoffs game. But this is a nice crowd.”

The festivities attracted all ages, from elderly couples who held hands while enjoying the music to young families who cuddled their children in blankets.

And with the community joining the MHS choir in the singing of “O Christmas Tree” — the Ross Gardner Christmas Tree in front of City Hall was suddenly lit in dazzling-bright blues, greens and reds, causing children and adults to exclaim, smile and clap.

Irene Matthews, who attended with John Peters, could be seen admiring the tree.

“This was wonderful. It was so beautiful and very inspiring,” Matthews said. “I really enjoyed it. It’s my first time to come.”

It was also Janette Keel’s first time to attend and she took her mother, an aunt and three children with her.

“I read about it and thought it would be nice to come see. The prayer was nice and it was nice to have [the minister] speak about the true meaning of Christmas,” Keel said. “I really enjoyed the hand bells. Those were interesting. It was great seeing the tree light up. It’s officially Christmas time now.”

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.