City of Mountain View Tree Lighting

I’m writing some reviews today, and just happened to see this entry in Unilocal.I said to myself, hey, I actually attended this this year, I’ll write a review! My husband and I attended after our personal trainer appointment in downtown MV, so we just walked over. We missed the first performing acts, so I can’t review those. We also didn’t stay for the whole thing because it was kind of cold that night and we were still in our workout clothes.
But there were a lot of people at the Civic Center Plaza, especially a lot of families. I always love that. I especially love all the family-​oriented activities that MV has, even though we don’t have kids of our own. It really shows how strong a community MV is even though it’s not some small town in the country.
The music was fun, and about what you’d expect. It was mostly secular Christmas music and some other multi-​traditional newer songs for good measure (I like that, even if I’m Christian). I love our diversity!
Like I said, we left early because we were cold (and hungry), so we went to Los Charros for dinner. On our way there, we encountered some of the other music groups (high school groups) who had already finished their performance on the stage but were now caroling up and down Castro Street. Again, I loved that.
Assuming we’re free next year, I’d love to attend the whole thing and wear warmer clothes. And maybe bring my nephews if their Mom will let me keep them up past their bedtime! ;)

City leadership does a nice job bringing residents together in the spirit of the holidays with this charming little event. Dancers and other performers representing the gamut of local flavor within the Mountain View city limits entertain the crowds. A choir filled the city hall rotunda with their angelic voices, children enjoyed arts and crafts where they colored, made ornaments and other holiday decorations. Complimentary holiday cookies, cider and hot chocolate were even offered to warm the crowd of revelers.
New this year — snow! Yes, snow was trekked into Pioneer Park for the children to play on. While the joyful snowball fighting was fantastic, I appreciated the organization and supervision that went into this addition. Only a determined head count were allowed on the snow at one time while others waited in line. One adult monitored the line while two others monitored the situation on the snow. Safety was very much considered here!
Just before the tree was lit, Santa arrived to help throw the switch. It was a very exciting arrival too! He showed up in a fire truck with sirens blaring and was greeted like the rock star that he is!
The one thing I would rather they dispense with each year is the canned conversation about tree safety and health. This year’s script had Rudolph laid up at the North Pole with H1N1. (I wish I was kidding!) The news has been saturated with this, we don’t need to hear more about how to avoid H1N1 at a tree lighting!