By: Bianca Pando, staff writer
As winter approaches the town of Millbrae, the community gets ready to welcome the Christmas season. With the annual tree lighting event, on the first week of the month, December 2, 2023, all of Millbrae comes together to celebrate.
The Tree lighting Ceremony is one of the most anticipated events during the winter season, where a tall tree in front of the City Hall is lit up, following the visit of Santa and other performances. Over the years, the event itself changed its performances, yet still kept the holiday spirit alive.
During the first recorded Millbrae Tree lighting of 2015, Mills High School students Elaina Wang and Jennifer Zang, who were leaders of the Millbrae Leos, started the program by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Speeches from the Mayor, the Millbrae Community Foundation, and the Firehouse department followed. After the words from the companies, the Happy Hall Choir sang Christmas songs and introduced Santa. To conclude the performances, Santa went up to say hello to the Mayor, and they all got ready to finally turn on the lights on the Christmas tree.
Similar to the event in 2015, during this year’s tree lighting event, another child’s choir came to sing, alongside two seniors from Mills High School.
Twins Justin and Jeremy Garcia (12) were invited to sing Christmas songs during the Tree Lighting of 2023. Both take part in the St. Dustin youth choir and have actively sang for the event since their middle school years. “Every year, for the tree lighting, Saint Dustin is invited to sing Christmas songs with the cub scouts,” explained Jeremy Garcia.
A few differences from this year’s event could be compared to 2015 and from last year as well. The Garcia twins pointed out that last year’s event included an Acapella group during their program, followed by Santa coming on his sled. However, this year there was no Acapella performance, not to mention the changed arrival of Santa, coming in with his new Christmas car.
Through the event, the Millbrae Leos helped a lot, volunteering by handing out free hot chocolate to those around. There was also a toy drive to help spread the spirit of giving. This celebration also made sure to include other religions as well, having a light-up Hanukkah candelabrum present.
Although this event only comes around once a year, this comes as a significant opportunity for all of Millbrae to get together and spend time as a community. Not only that, but it also becomes something young kids living in Millbrae can look forward to. “It brings families together, where we can just celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season,” reflected Justin Garcia. “Now being a soon-to-be adult, it is fun to see all the kids’ faces light up, because I was that kid,” added Jeremy. This tradition of lighting up the tree, will play a huge part in the togetherness of the Millbrae community for many years to come.
