Cedar City holds lighting ceremony with 3 charities, 2 fundraisers and a jolly St. Nick in a rotor wing

CEDAR CITY — The skies over downtown Cedar City lit up with music, festive lights, fireworks and even an unidentified flying object on Saturday night for the 4th Annual Historic Downtown Christmas Lighting Ceremony. 

The Historic Downtown Christmas Lighting Event in Cedar City, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

The flying object causing many of the children in the audience to squeal with delight was later confirmed by St. George News to be a helicopter from Southern Utah University Aviation bringing Santa Claus to the block party.

Event emcee Ben Batty said the holiday lighting ceremony is a two-part event put on by dozens of volunteers in the community that is organized as a way to kick off the holiday season while spreading cheer to those who need help for the upcoming “season of giving.”

“That is my favorite part about being part of this event,” said an emotional Batty, also a member of Cedar City’s downtown lighting committee. “Looking out over the crowd from the stage and seeing all the excitement and joy radiating from the children – it makes me tear up just thinking about it.”

A Christmas tree decorating contest started the evening with several businesses competing for bragging rights, prizes and quality time with their coworkers, friends and families. The loudest cheers from the crowd, by at least 25 decibels, awarded Onsite Private Security and their talented team the top prize for their skills.

After a Christmas program in front of City Hall performed by many singers and dancers, a story for the children from Mayor Garth Green, and a ventriloquist show from Miss Iron County Talise Mosely, the crowd enjoyed a firework display under the supervision of the Cedar City Fire Department. After some words from Santa, straight from the North Pole, the crowd then moved on to the Jubilee of Trees held inside Festival Hall.

Miss Iron County presents a ventriloquist show at the Historic Downtown Christmas Lighting event in Cedar City on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

Laura Albrecht, founder of the Holiday Tree Jubilee, said the event began five years ago as a way to help raise funds for local charities. The money raised at this year’s event will benefit the Cedar City Shop-with-a-Cop program, the Iron County Care and Share, and the Iron County School District’s At-Risk Youth Program helping homeless teens.

“This is my favorite part,” Albrecht said as several hundred onlookers admired the trees. “Seeing all my friends and neighbors, random people I have never met, but everyone is coming together and enjoying the holiday spirit,” she said. “And that is what is happening today, all these wonderful people donating their time in the giving spirit.”

The Holiday Tree Jubilee continues in Cedar City’s Festival Hall on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 28-29, from 5-8 p.m. All proceeds go to charity. For more information click on the link.

Ed. note: The name of Miss Iron County was updated to reflect the current year’s recipient.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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