By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
Dazzling lights spread across the glowing faces of Salina residents and visitors as the downtown Christmas tree shimmered, welcoming the holiday season to the community.
"It's just an exciting time of year — it allows all of us to kind of be a child again," said Salina City Mayor Mike Hoppock. "Downtown is already beautiful with the lights, and this just adds to it."
At 7 p.m. on Friday, community members and visitors gathered to celebrate the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting. The City of Salina, Salina Downtown, Inc. and the First Bank Kansas City of Salina sponsored the event.
The towering Christmas tree stands in Campbell Plaza, spreading holiday cheer to visitors of Santa Fe Avenue.
Last year, they began the tradition after the Parade of Lights. According to Salina Downtown Executive Director Leslie Bishop, they decided to move it to the evening before to create its own celebration.
"I just hope that it's a tradition that continues to happen and gets bigger each year," Bishop said.
Dozens of guests and families attended the Christmas Tree Lighting, and after a countdown from five, the tree illuminated Campbell Plaza.
Salina resident Serena Hernandez brought her family to the Christmas Tree Lighting.
"We just enjoy doing all the downtown stuff as much as possible," Hernandez said. "We knew all the parade was going on tomorrow, so we wanted to see this for the first time."
