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River Valley Times

Annual Tree Lighting Draws Crowd

Dec 06, 2024 09:34AM ● By Gail Bullen River Valley Times Reporter

Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome children during the annual Christmas tree lighting at Stonehouse Park on Nov. 29, sponsored by the RMA Recreation Committee. Photo by Gail Bullen

Annual Tree Lighting Draws Crowd [5 Images] Click Any Image To Expand
RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Stonehouse Park on Nov. 28 drew an enthusiastic crowd of children, parents and grandparents eager to visit with Santa.
This year, the Rancho Murieta Association Recreation Committee hosted the event for the first time, succeeding the Optimist Club of Rancho Murieta, which had organized the cherished tradition for 20 years before disbanding earlier this year.
Highlights of the evening included appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Christmas Elf, the lighting of the Christmas tree provided by the RMA, a lively performance by the Murieta Dance Company, seasonal treats, and cozy fire pits to ward off the chill.
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a grand entrance at 6 p.m., arriving in style aboard a Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District engine with lights flashing and sirens blaring.
After arriving at the plaza, Santa led the excited crowd in a countdown that culminated in the glowing illumination of the Christmas tree and other festive holiday decorations.
Taking his place on his throne, Santa welcomed the first set of siblings in a long line of children and families eager to share their Christmas wishes.
This marked the third year RMA Director Tom Reimers portrayed Santa at the event. Longtime Optimist member Melinda Martell reprised her role as Mrs. Claus, while RMA Director Patrick O’Hern took on the role of the Christmas Elf, distributing candy canes to children and assisting families with photo opportunities.
“We posed for a ton of family pics with their kids and pets,” Reimers said.
When it came to Christmas wishes, several children asked for bicycles and Pokémon cards, while boys in particular requested video games.
“The big thing this year was that all the girls wanted unicorns,” Reimers shared. One girl envisioned a rainbow unicorn, another wanted a white one, and a third wished for a black unicorn with red eyes.
Reimers recounted a particularly heartwarming moment from the evening. The wish that “really melted me,” he said, came from a 3- or 4-year-old who asked for “a goat with horns who really likes me.”
Another touching request came from a young boy who wanted a blanket. When Reimers asked if he’d like something extra warm, the boy simply replied that he wanted something soft.
As they approached, a few children were afraid, but most embraced the experience. 
“The parents were great, too,” Reimers said. “They just were happy, smiling, glad their kids were having a good time.”
Fourteen youngsters from the Murieta Dance Company braved the chilly weather to perform a spirited dance to “Santa, Can You Hear Me” by Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson.
RMA Director Renee Bechthold, chair of the Recreation Committee and a former president of the Optimists, expressed gratitude to the RMA Maintenance Department for their invaluable support. The team cleared leaves, set up tables, hung decorations and lights, tended fire pits, and stayed afterward to clean up.
“We could not hold this event without them,” Bechthold said.
Photos from the Tree Lighting are available at TheRiverValleyTimes.com.