Tree lighting features Santa, train and snacks; historical society hosts Mrs. Claus event

by Kim Scott Sowinski

Mrs. Claus helps Niko make his own snowglobe. Photo by Kim Garred.

If you are a fan of Hallmark movies, you may have felt you were in one as the city of Independence continued the tradition of the annual tree lighting on Dec. 7. The city began putting up over 200,000 lights after the summer Home Days to prepare for the holiday season.

Traveling carolers, roasting marshmallows on an open fire, hot chocolate and Santa in a one-horse open sleigh on the city campus was the perfect setting for families and friends of all ages to get into the holiday spirit.

Little ones were allowed to interact up close with the live nativity animals nibbling on hay. The classic movie It’s A Wonderful Life – which was the theme for this year’s tree lighting – played in the Kiwanis Pavilion, where children could create a Christmas craft and the Independence Fire Department served up hot chili.

This event was moved from the town square to the Elmwood Park campus during the pandemic and has remained there since. Almost 450 children received gift bags filled with holiday goodies as their parents did a drive-by to be greeted by Mayor Greg Kurtz, First Lady Lyn and of course, Santa.

Some new attractions this year included Scott’s Fire and Ice wood-fired pizza and holiday gelato, Disney characters from the movie Frozen, a giant Lite Bright board for children to play with, a Penguin Escape game and a “Polar Express” train to take passengers for an adventure around the entire city campus. 

Traditional holiday songs were sung by the Independence High School Vocal Group and the evening concluded with a brilliant fireworks display to fill the night sky with sparkle and color.

Guests can continue to enjoy the synchronized light show at City Hall Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Families can drive through and listen to the holiday music on their car radio on channel 93.7.Another holiday event was the Independence Historical Society’s story time with Mrs. Claus event on Nov. 30 at the Bramley House on Brecksville Road. Mrs. Claus read the children stories and helped them craft their own snow globes. Along with her elf helper, she also took photos with the children before they went to the kitchen to enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.