Tree Lighting, parade and opening of Christmas Card Lane mark the official opening of holiday celebrations

Mayor Steve Collier helped light the evergreen tree outside the Sterrett Center November 26 to ignite holiday cheer in the City of Lawrence. A parade started the festivities and delivered Santa Claus and his Mrs. to the pre-lighting ceremony, according to event chairperson Mel Keaton. Keaton said the parade restores a Lawrence tradition from the past while Christmas Card Lane begins a new tradition for the City.

Bragging rights for the best float belong to the Department of Public Works float. According to Keaton, they will be the department that delivers Santa to the 2017 ceremony.