LAMORINDA WEEKLY | The Ho-Ho-Ho was back for Moraga's Holiday Tree Lighting


The Holiday Tree lights up Moraga Commons Park Photo Vera Kochan

Having to bypass last year's crowd-drawing Holiday Tree Lighting event due to COVID mandates, it was a larger than average gathering on Dec. 2 that showed up to the Moraga Commons Park to take advantage of the conviviality of the season.

Presented by the Parks and Recreation Department, Director Breyana Brandt and Recreation Coordinator Donald Scully were very pleased with the turnout of approximately 400 revelers. While Santa-hat-wearing members of the Moraga Youth Involvement Committee handed out complimentary hot cocoa and packaged cookies, the crowd of young and old alike were entertained by Selena Soberal & Eli (vocalist and guitarist).

Never one to miss an opportunity for a grand entrance, Santa Claus arrived via a shiny, red, fire engine with lights flashing courtesy of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. From the moment he stepped onto Commons ground making his way to the tree, children trotted behind him like he was the Pied Piper's cousin.

With the customary, and pretty much obligatory, countdown the enormous tree was ablaze with multi-colored LED lights signaling that the holidays have officially arrived in Moraga.

For anyone wishing to make an online Buy-A-Bulb donation visit: moragarec.com. To send a check, make it payable to: Town of Moraga, ATTN: Buy-A-Bulb, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga, CA 94556.