Wasilla Tree lighting marks beginning of the Christmas season

The City of Wasilla welcomed the Christmas season on Saturday with the 36th annual Wasilla Community Christmas Celebration. There was plenty to enjoy with the Christmas Village, scavenger hunts,. The Wasilla High School Jazz Choir was on hand to sing carols while visitors munched on cookies and enjoyed hot cocoa, all leading up to the lighting of the Christmas tree.

This year, because of the unpredictable weather, the festivities were held inside the Wasilla Museum this year.

“This is our first year doing it inside, with the way the weather’s been, we thought we’d change it up this year and see how it goes,” said Wasilla Museum curator Bethany Buckingham Follett, who was excited for the change.

On hand to do the honors of lighting the tree was Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford, who thanked everyone for taking time to come out and celebrate the tradition, with a simple message;

“Merry Christmas to everybody! I hope all of you families have a really good Christmas this year. Be safe out there,” Mayor Ledford said. She also encouraged everyone to stop by Iditarod Park to check out the new decorations.

The Christmas tree will remain up until the end of December, and Christmas village will be on display until mid-January. The Wasilla Museum is open Tuesday-Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.