Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The annual tree lighting provided for a festive array of holiday spirit at the Rosehill Community Center Dec. 7.

For over 30 years, the community has come together for the inaugural tree lighting ceremony. Rosehill has hosted the event every year since their opening in 2011, said Recreation Coordinator Nick Hamblet.

Even Jack Frost managed to make an appearance at the event without freezing anyone in their tracks.

Prior to the tree lighting, members of the community tried to stay warm inside Rosehill. Some families took photos with Santa, others participated in arts and crafts at the creation station. Making candy cane ornaments was largely popular as well.

Madeline Coats

Kamiak's choir performed an arrangement of holiday songs just before the tree lighting Dec. 7.

Most children ran around on sugar highs after decorating cookies provided by Ivar's Mukilteo Landing. Local cub scouts also provided hot chocolate to keep people warm.

Four choirs or bands played throughout the evening. Serene Lake and Columbia elementary schools performed earlier in the day. Students from Olympic View Middle School also took the stage at one point in the evening. Kamiak's choir sang an array of holiday songs just before the tree lighting commenced.

Children, adults, dogs, and even Jack Front ran outside just in time to find a viewing spot.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1...," everyone chanted. The tree exploded with a display of red, green, and blue, topped with a bright star.

A few streets down, the lighthouse came to life with an outline of white lights. Christmas time had finally arrived in Mukilteo.