Atherton celebrates holidays with first annual lighting ceremony – The Almanac Online

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Uploaded: Fri, Dec 6, 2019, 5:19 pm

Joey Calder, 1, sits near Santa Claus, a.k.a. Michael McNamara, at Atherton's holiday party in Holbrook-Palmer Park's Pavilion. Photo by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac.

byAngela Swartz / Almanac

Atherton's water tower was lit up in lieu of a holiday tree at Holbrook-Palmer Park on Dec. 5. Photo by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac.

Atherton's Dec. 5 "tree lighting" ceremony was unique not only because the town hadn't hosted such an event before, but also because there was no tree to light up. But that didn't stop about 40 residents from gathering in Holbrook-Palmer Park for the town's holiday celebration.

In lieu of an actual tree, town officials illuminated the park's water tower after opening remarks from Mayor Bill Widmer and a countdown.

Students in the Menlo-Atherton High School choir, led by Director Patrick Maier, performed seasonal songs such as "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells."

Following the ceremony, people headed to the park's indoor Pavilion for hot chocolate, cookies, holiday arts and crafts projects and photos with Santa Claus.

The Atherton Library used a 3D printer to create ornaments in the shapes of trees, snowflakes and other items, all made out of cornstarch. The library also handed out free books.

Children also decorated wooden ornaments and adorned gingerbread houses with frosting and sprinkles.

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Atherton celebrates holidays with first annual lighting ceremony - The Almanac Online