OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Community Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, with festivities starting at 5 p.m., at Dtton’s Talking Bear Corner at the junction of Hwy 41 and Road 426.
The public is invited to attend this free, fun evening.
It’s a delightful way for friends, families and neighbors to celebrate the onset of the holidays together.
Last year, about 500 people attended the event, and more than 200 children met up with Santa.
Again this season, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to visit with kids, with the guests of honor arriving in style.
Sounds of caroling will fill the air as the Chamber Maids and the Yosemite High School Chamber Singers serenade the crowd with songs of the season. What’s that delicious aroma pulling you toward the food court? That is coffee provided by Starbucks, or it could be hot cider and cocoa thanks to Gold Country Water.
Those with a sweet tooth will want to know that cookies are being served courtesy of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce, and Century 21 Ditton Realty will be serving hot dogs.
Liberty Rentals is setting up a bounce house for kids, which will no doubt help little ones to burn off some of the energy leading into this sugar-plum filled time of year. More holiday fun for the kids includes pine cone decorating, a petting zoo and pony rides, all thanks to Crab Cakes, McGoldrick & McGoldrick, and Dr. Rodney Peter, DDS.
Be sure to stop by and pick up some free children’s books courtesy of Sierra Telephone.
Four able and adorable kids are assisting with the tree lighting.
Known as the Official Tree Lighters, they include Brooke Miller, age five, granddaughter of Sierra Tel employee Dave Miller.
Abigail Lehigh, also five, is the daughter of Sierra Tel’s Brian Lehigh.
Braydon Gonzalez, five, is the grandson of employee Terry Muller.
Cole Krause, age six, will assist as an Official Tree Lighter. Krause is the son of employee Colin Krause, grandson of employee Ed Moore, and nephew of employee Johnny Herr.
So how does the massive tree get to the Talking Bear corner and where does it come from?
On Wednesday, Nov. 27, Sierra Telephone crews, in coordination with Oakhurst Crane, will be retrieving a fir tree that’s between 60 and 80 feet tall from Beasore Road and plan to erect it the same day. The lights will be hung, again in coordination with Oakhurst Crane, on Monday, Dec. 2. The small trees traditionally standing at the base of the big tree for each area school to decorate will be placed and lit on Dec. 2 or 3.
For more information visit the event page on Facebook.
