A 20-foot Christmas tree — donated by Duke Energy, donned with thousands of lights, giant ornaments and red bows — was lit up Friday night during Clermont’s 27th annual Light-Up celebration.
So were the lights on all the trees that line Montrose Street, as well as the interactive decorations around and the floating Christmas tree in Center Lake.
And as local Clermont tradition dictates, 6-year old Layna Tedderis, the mayor’s pick this year — pink kitty ears and all — did the honors by flipping the switch.
“Last year, I picked a little boy, so this year, I knew I was going to pick a little girl,” Mayor Gail Ash said. “When I saw her (Layna), I thought she looked so cute.”
Rachael Tedderis, Layna’s mother, said she was surprised when Ash came up and asked if Layna could go on stage to help light downtown to kick-off the evening.
“She was so sweet, it made me tear up,” Rachael Tedderis said about Ash.
After the light-up, there was plenty to do and plenty of people to do it, since thousands were in attendance browsing food trucks and vendor tables, listening and dancing to live music, taking pictures at various attractions, visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the City Center, making s’mores in a fire pit, and peeking into decorated windows shop owners created for the event.
Daniel Lacasse and his wife Diane, there with Cris Bootle, all of Webster, were three people thrilled to be at light up. The Lacasse’s wore giant Christmas light necklaces for the sake of holiday spirit.
“We love it. We came especially for the light-up. It feels very, very festive,” Daniel Lacasse said of the evening.
Clermont’s Secora Ashley, there with daughters Kayla, 8, and Timaya, 13, said she’s been coming with her family for three years. On Friday, the girls were enjoying roasting marshmallows in a fire pit at the event.
Kayla said that’s not all she enjoyed.
“I liked Santa, the cookies, the music, the tree — everything,” she said.
Mom Secora Ashley called the night inspirational.
“This is awesome,” she said. “It’s a great family event and it really helps drive us into the whole holiday season.”
Clermont Parks and Recreation Director Scott Davidoff said the city couldn’t have asked for a more successful evening.
“It’s been a great turnout,” he said. “Lots of smiles on everyone’s faces and we’ve got a true feeling of community with everyone coming out to support the city and the holiday.”