35th annual tree lighting ceremony kicks off with Davis Food Co-op sponsored event
Candles lit the streets of Davis on Dec. 1 as children of all ages join in on the annual Children’s Candlelight Parade. The event has been a staple in Davis for 35 years.
“The Children’s Candlelight parade is one of Davis’ most time-honored holiday traditions,” said Lucas Frerichs, a Davis city councilmember. “It’s such a great experience to see the community gather at the Davis Food Co-op and make their way to the E Street Plaza for the holiday tree lighting and other festive holiday activities.”
The parade and tree lighting ceremonies are two of Davis’ oldest community traditions, organized by many members of the City of Davis and produced by Bob Bowen, Davis city manager.
“The annual Children’s Candlelight Parade has been sponsored by the Davis Food Co-op for over two decades,” Bowen said in a press release.
Children who wish to participate in the parade received free candles with safety drip cups courtesy of the Davis Food Co-op. The Co-op also accepted voluntary donations to the Wallace and Vannucci Women and Children’s Shelter prior to the parade.
“The candlelight parade is one of the ways that we partner with the City of Davis every year,” said Lis Harvey, marketing manager of the Davis Food Co-op. “The City of Davis puts on a beautiful kick off to the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony downtown, and we host the Children’s Candlelight Parade portion, which is how that whole evening starts.”
The candlelight parade winds through Downtown Davis, past decorated storefront windows garnished for the Christmas holiday.
“It’s this super sweet Davis event, and every business downtown participates in some sort of fun way, and one of the things we love about it is it’s not a commercial way for us to feel festive,” Harvey said.
Since the final destination of the parade is the tree lighting, Davis residents can just follow the halo of light and chatter of children as they make their way downtown.
“Walkers, strollers, wagons and bicycles are welcome and festive holiday lighting on parade entries is encouraged,” Bowen said in a press release.
“It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to spend a festive evening in downtown Davis as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season,” Frerichs said.
Written by: Sam Solomon — city@theaggie.org
