By Christopher DeMarcus (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 27, 2013
Mayor Bruce Banman warmed up the crowd with his musical voice at the 24th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Abbotsford. Backed up by a band of local musicians, the mayor sang Christmas classics and urged the crowd of thousands to “come back and shop downtown” once the festivi-ties were over.
Booths from local candy shops, craft stores, and real-estate agents lined the streets, handing out free popcorn and hot chocolate. The band sang, “Oh, my Lord is gonna come,” then asked the kids in the crowd if they were “waiting for Santa?”
Children danced in the streets to the familiar Christmas tunes while excited parents jostled them closer to the tree, anxious for the big countdown.
The red-tailed and plush Hawkey (mascot for the Abbotsford Heat) chased after his animated and chubby-faced pal Bucky (mascot for Fraser Valley RV). Smiling kids followed the plush couple, screaming for Hawkey and Bucky to wrestle on stage.
“I’ve been working all day at [Legal Grounds]. It’s been super busy, but my daughter got to light the tree,” Heather Elrick said. Her daughter Isabella was chosen to light up the tree five minutes before 5 p.m. A crowd of thousands oohed and ahhhed under the glow of new lights and decorations.
“It’s great to see so many people out as part of the community. We’ve been coming to this for years,” said Larry, an Abbotsford resident who preferred not to give his last name. “Today there’s no rain, and it’s not too cold – this is the most people we’ve seen in a long time.”
His sentiment was genuine, he looked with joyous surprise at the hundreds of strollers that wheeled past, pushed by eager parents filled with holiday spirit.
Business was the other theme of the evening as a real-estate agent addressed the crowd.
“We’re so excited to be a part of this great event,” the agent’s voice boomed through the PA, reminding the crowd again to come back tomorrow for holiday shopping.
Despite the larger-than-usual crowd, not everyone was into the festivities.
“It’s all a little early. It’s not even December yet,” said Greg Unger. “I’m going home to watch the game.”
Unger was there for his kids to see Mr and Mrs Claus, but left before the epic count-down.
Twenty minutes after the tree was lit, the large crowd had dispersed. Work crews packed up the booths while merchants locked their cash boxes. With the decorated Christmas tree lighting up downtown Abbotsford, the holiday season has officially begun.
