On the crisp evening of Saturday, November 23, the City of Lake Station held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. Residents of Lake Station flocked to City Hall to participate in the festivities. The Grinch and Mrs. Claus made an appearance and posed for pictures with the attendees. Shortly before the tree was lit, Santa Claus rode in on a Lake Station fire truck. Members of the Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School choir set the tone for the evening by performing Christmas selections like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll has overseen the Christmas Tree Lighting since before he ascended to his current role as mayor. He states that the Christmas Tree Lighting event demonstrates just how much Lake Station residents value togetherness.
“This event kicks off our holiday season, and this year’s turnout is fantastic,” Carroll said. “The Christmas Tree Lighting shows that a community can still come together and be joyful despite what's going on these days. It’s a very happy atmosphere, and it’s a safe space where people of all ages can come enjoy themselves. We always try to put on events that offer something for everybody. I hope everyone here tonight leaves feeling thankful for what they have and feeling better about themselves.”
The night before the Christmas Tree Lighting, the City of Lake Station sponsored its seventh annual Turkey Dinner Giveaway. Volunteers from throughout the Lake Station community gathered at Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School to help distribute 108 dinners to people in need. Pamela Shafner, a volunteer and Lake Station resident, helped establish the Turkey Dinner Giveaway and even helped Carroll establish the Christmas Tree Lighting event. Shafner has enjoyed seeing the Christmas Tree Lighting develop over the years and appreciates what it has become today.
“It’s always great when we can get the community together for a fun and positive event,” Shafner said. “Everybody gets along, and you can tell that they have a good time. I’ve gotten to catch up with a lot of people who I haven’t seen in years here tonight. We’re a small community, and we all take care of each other. This event is a great display of our community pride. Hopefully, everyone leaves feeling happy and in the holiday spirit. This is the first year we’ve had reindeer and the Grinch, so that definitely helped draw a much bigger crowd. I was worried we were going to run out of cookies!”
At the Christmas Tree Lighting event, attendees of all ages got the chance to pet and pose for pictures with Silver Bells and Gingerbread, two live reindeer from Animal-Grams in North Manchester, Indiana. Cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate were being served in City Hall for everyone to enjoy. Young attendees could also decorate holiday bags and pose for pictures with Santa.
Carroll emphasizes the fact that events like the Christmas Tree Lighting are crucial aspects of community development.
“We believe it’s important to invest in events like this,” Carroll said. “When we spend money on projects and events like the Christmas Tree Lighting, that helps the community grow and brings its citizens together. Everybody benefits. Lake Station’s future is bright, and I am excited to see what comes next. I’d like to wish all of our community members a very happy holiday season. Remember to be kind in all that you do.”
Visit lakestation-in.gov to stay up-to-date about the City of Lake Station’s upcoming projects and events.