Tree lighting ceremony kicks off holiday season

Kick off the holiday season with your family, friends and neighbors this Friday night, Dec. 7, in downtown Cloverdale.

Festivities leading up to the 46^th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Cloverdale Plaza will get underway at 5:30 p.m.

Paula Gilbert and the Singing Sun Music School Holiday Chorus will be performing seasonal carols and sing-alongs on the Plaza stage. Free donuts, hot chocolate and hot spiced cider will be available for all attendees and Santa Claus will be on hand to listen to the children’s Christmas wishes.

Santa photos will be taken and available for pick up at CVS Pharmacy, however, parents are also encouraged to take their own photos, as well.

This annual event is sponsored by the Cloverdale Lions Club, in conjunction with the City of Cloverdale and the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce.

Following the tree lighting ceremony, the Healdsburg Community Band will present its annual Holiday Concert in the Citrus Fair Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m.

The band, now in its 29^th year and comprised of musicians from Cloverdale to Sebastopol, will play a variety of holiday favorites. Also on tap is a special musical adaptation and reading of Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas.” Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.