The 2011 Annual VABI Tree Lighting Ceremony!

VABI’s Gift to the City of Venice, the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival.

Saturday evening as the sun started to set in the west, families began gathering at West Blalock Park for VABI’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. The trees selected by local families to honor their loved ones were decorated top to bottom waiting for Mayor Holic to throw the switch and transform the park in to a wonderland of lights.

But to properly prepare and set the scene - elementary children sang, made fun crafts, sipped hot chocolate and munched a mountain of cookies. Then as it grew dark, the time was just right to let the lights shine and light up the park and the beautifully decorated trees. With the trees shinning bright who should arrive, but the jolly elf himself, Santa. He wanted to meet all the children, hear their requests.

It was the perfect ending to a wonderful holiday festival to celebrate the season of giving!

Santa Arrives!

Parents and visitors arrive for the lighting.                               Local Elemenatry School Children Singing.

Two of the lighted trees!