City celebrates the holidays with light displays, Christmas market

Independence kicked off the holiday season with its annual tree-lighting event on Dec. 3, which featured new festive additions.

At the height of the pandemic, the city started its “Santa Drive Through” to maintain social distancing. Cars full of resident children drove past the Civic Center to wave to Santa, sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh. This format has remained part of the festivities, and this year people were encouraged to participate in a vehicle decorating contest.

Residents followed a route from Brecksville Road driving past light displays at Public Square, city hall, the Civic Center, and other areas of Elmwood Park, including floating trees on Elmwood Pond. The final stop was seeing the jolly old elf himself.

Returning for her second year was Mrs. Claus, who handed out candy canes to the children. Also returning to round out the Christmas family was Noel the live reindeer.

New this year was a Christmas market with ornaments, edible treats, fresh greenery centerpieces and spruce trees for sale. It was held in the Kiwanis Pavilion. Another addition was a live ice- sculpting demonstration in the park.

As in years past, the evening ended with a fireworks display. ∞