With a Tree Lighting Ceremony The Presidio Begins the Holiday Season

A 50-year-old tradition continued on Friday Dec 4 as the many people who had gathered for the event lit a 60 foot tall Norfolk Island pine. The mood was festive; the sounds of children’s laughter and caroling filled the air.

Lisa Hillstorm, a programs and education specialist for the Presidio Trust, organized the event. She said, “the army used to do this across from the fire station, however that tree came down in a storm so it was moved. The park service kept it going.”

People who attended the event were largely families with small children. They gathered under the unlit tree and were entertained by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Carolers until the ceremony began.

Once the ceremony began Hillstorm instructed everyone to form a circle around the tree holding hands. She then began a wave similar to the one seen in sporting events that traveled around the circle symbolizing a wave of energy. Once the wave had traveled around the circle the tree was lit and the children sprinted under the tree and the crowd broke into song.

Once the tree lighting ceremony came to an end the YMCA held a reception in their gym. There refreshments such as popcorn and cider were given out.