Park Cities residents gathered to make new memories at this year’s tree lightings, as well as to honor those no longer with us.
University Park kicked off the season with a celebration in Snider Plaza on Nov. 30 filled with festive cheer.
The city’s tree lighting featured a snow slide, ice skating, photos with Santa, tasty treats, and entertainment from young ballet dancers, musicians, and singers.
Missing from the festivities was the large centerpiece tree that has stood over Snider Plaza’s fountain in the past. Instead, the city placed four 12-foot-tall blue spruce trees from Michigan at each corner of the fountain.
The switch was necessary due to the size of the new fountain, along with the need to maintain clear sidewalks, ADA ramps, and parking access. The city will evaluate the change in the coming months, explained community information officer Paige Ruedy.
Santa Claus came to the Town of Highland Park during its annual tree lighting on Dec. 4, and plenty of holiday magic arrived with him.
This year’s celebration at the Landmark Pecan Tree in the 4200 block of Armstrong Parkway included tasty treats, hot chocolate, activities, a mini railroad, and real reindeer.
Santa, who arrived at the celebration in a fire truck, brought some North Pole weather with him. Thanks to a mix of winter magic and machinery, it started snowing after he counted down to the tree lighting.
A crowd gathered for a heartfelt tree lighting on Dec. 2 at Elena’s Children’s Park, which celebrates all children, and honors the memory of Park Cities children who have been lost.
“We hope that all the visitors who visit this park understand that our children don’t perish,” Kirk Dooley, who helped make the park a reality, told listeners, “but they live on in eternity.”
Photos by Grant Gaither and Sarah Hodges