More modest tree lighting brightens downtown Santa Rosa

The tree was a little less towering, and crowd a little lighter than in previous years.

But the Santa Rosa Winter Lights celebration made the best of its new location and managed to brighten spirits downtown Friday night.

Ousted from its longtime home in Old Courthouse Square this year due to the behind-schedule reunification project, the annual Chamber of Commerce event moved to B Street at Fourth Street outside the Santa Rosa Plaza mall.

Hundreds of residents lit candles and, in what has been an annual tradition for decades, counted down and blew them out just as the Christmas tree was lit.

But instead of a massive redwood tree, as in years past, a 10-foot artificial tree set up beside a stage was illuminated at the climax of the event. Hundreds of parents and kids didn’t seem to mind. They turned out to listen to live music, forage from food trucks, get their faces painted, take photos with Santa, and even watch a live ballet performance. Downtown restaurants and bars were bustling, and the city seemed to have managed the closure of two key downtown streets without much trouble.

Sonya Warry, 26, called the event ”a little lackluster” compared to years past, but said she was happy to get out with friends for the evening after the gloomy weeks since the election.

“There’s a lot of turmoil right now, so people needed a little cheer,” she said.

The event is expected to return to the square next year.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.