GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Friday evening the official Grand Rapids Christmas tree lighting was held at Rosa Parks Circle.
Around 6:27 p.m. the 41-foot Concolor Fir tree was illuminated to spark the holiday season.
"[It] just welcomes the holiday spirit here to Grand Rapids," said Special Events Supervisor for the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events, Evette Pittman.
But that wasn't only the centerpiece of the festivities that happened downtown.
After the tree lighting, the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink opened to the public. Prior to that, there were ice skating performances from the WMU Synchronized Skating Teams and the Lake Effect Flurries Synchro Team.
A number of cultural booths also demonstrated how holidays are celebrated around the world, from African delicacies to hot tea from the West Michigan Asian American Association and more.
People who attended the tree lighting ceremony could also enjoy peppermint stick ice cream from Hudsonville Ice Cream.
Plus, special visitors made an appearance: Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Ugly sweaters and bedazzled running pants were also encouraged.
Watch the tree lighting live here.
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