A large crowd gathered for the village of Lucas’ Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday at the town square. Children caroling, Santa Claus, hot chocolate, cookies, and a tree that reached the height of the village flag pole brought the first day of December to a cheerful close.
Under the direction of Lucas schools’ music director Dan Cetina, children in kindergarten, first, and second grade began the festivities singing Christmas music including ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Pastor Wayne Presnell read the biblical Christmas story from the gospel of Luke to the children and their audience before Mayor Todd Hall thanked those who contributed to the event. The mayor thanked Jim and Sandy Markham for allowing the village to erect the tree on their property and Village Administrator Tim Stallard and the village Street Department for putting up the tree.
Mayor Hall also thanked Mike and Kim Strassel for donating the tree and the Lucas Lions Club for sponsoring the event and providing the hot chocolate and cookies.
“I’ve donated the cookies for the last eight years,” said Rene Davis as she continued to describe the days of baking the iced sugar cookie cut-outs. She baked 24 dozen cookies for the event. She and her husband Tim Davis are members of the Lions Club.
Hall led the children in a countdown from 10 when Santa Claus lit the village Christmas tree. Afterward Santa distributed candy canes to the children.
(Note: see photo gallery below video.)
