RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Stonehouse Park on Nov. 28 drew an enthusiastic crowd of children, parents and grandparents eager to visit with Santa. The Rancho Murieta Association Recreation Committee presented the event, a community tradition for 22 years.

Highlights of the evening included visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the lighting of the RMA Christmas tree, festive holiday music, cookies and hot cocoa, and two cozy fire pits to take the edge off the chill.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made their grand entrance at 6 p.m., arriving in style aboard a Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District engine, its lights flashing and sirens blaring.

After arriving at the plaza, Santa led the excited crowd in a reverse countdown that culminated in the Christmas tree being lighted.

Once seated on their throne, Santa and Mrs. Claus welcomed the first youngster in what became a long line of children eager to share their Christmas wishes, along with dozens of families excited for a photo op.

This marked the fourth year that RMA Director Tom Reimers portrayed Santa at the event, and the first time that Ellison Cowles stepped into the role of Mrs. Claus.

Reimers said the kids seemed especially happy this year, and he didn’t hear any heartfelt requests. Most asked for their own cell phones, even some younger than 5. 

“They wanted to play games and call their friends,” he said.

One youngster asked for a guinea pig, and another wanted a puppy: Any kind would do.

Although not on the official program, a surprise visitor bearing gifts added to the merriment this year. RJ Combs, a retired upholsterer from Sacramento, attended the event with his daughter, Jennifer Marsh. Several years ago, Combs began collecting stuffed animals throughout the year and pinning them to his jacket to give to his grandchildren at Christmas.

Since then, his giving spirit has only grown. 

“Now wherever he goes to a Christmas event, he hands them out,” Marsh explained. “I was worried that he was going to trump Santa Claus.”

That didn’t prove to be the case. Youngsters like Jack Leslie happily accepted a stuffed animal – Jack immediately named his new dolphin Nutcracker and tossed it into the air – but the gifts didn’t distract them from telling Santa about the rest of the presents on their lists.

The Optimist Club of Rancho Murieta presented the annual tree lighting ceremony for 20 years, until the club disbanded in 2023. Fortunately, its final president, Renee Bechthold, had joined the RMA Board of Directors. As chair of the Recreation Committee, she ensured the continuance of what had long been a cornerstone community event.