Community tree lighting was a festive family celebration

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (December 8, 2021) – The crowds gathered and the countdown  – 3, 2, 1 – ended with ooh’s and ah’s heard all around as Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey pulled the switch and the community Christmas tree lit up against the backdrop of a black velvet clear night sky.

The Loveland Community Christmas tree lighted against the backdrip of a balck velvet night sky (Chuck Gibson)

Saturday, December 4, proved to be a perfect day to kick-off the Loveland Christmas Season at Jackson Street Market and Brown’s Crossing alongside the Little Miami Scenic River Trail (Loveland Bike Trail). If you were there, you know how much fun was to be had for the whole family. The photo-op spots and too many fun activities to list for kids and adults had the community out in force wearing lots of smiles. And that was even before dusk fell and the lighting of the tree took place. Vickie Larcomb of Trailside helped organize the event and was thrilled with how things turned out.

“I mean 3-2-1, it went off perfectly. One, and that tree lit up,” said Larcomb. “I was standing out there and I could hear the Oohs and the Ahhs. It went very well. We were very happy with everything.”

Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey pulled the switch to light the tree right on cue (Courtesy Kathy Bailey)

Event emcee Randi Rico – local TV personality with Mayor Kathy Bailey duriing the lighting of the community Christmas tree ceremony (Courtesy Kathy Bailey)

Loveland resident and local TV personality Randi Rico served as emcee for the tree lighting. She welcomed the community, thanked the organizers and sponsors and introduced Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey for the countdown and the lighting of the tree. Bailey was reminded of why she loves the community of Loveland.

Families came together and enjoyed the festive evening and listening to Carolers (Photo credit Kathryn Seibert)

“I was standing there Saturday night looking at all the people gathered together on a chilly night, all with smiles on their faces enjoying the community, enjoying each other, families, children and then topped off by a wonderful fireworks display,” said Bailey. “Once again it reinforced in my mind what a fantastic place, and special place Loveland is to live. I think it is a wonderful tradition I’m glad has been reborn.”

The Mayor also heard the shop owners of Browns Crossing enjoyed a great night of business with the crowds stopping in to shop. The ladies of Alley Boutique, Janel Thompson and Debby Walker were excited to see the community come out shop, and enjoy the festivities.

A constant flow of people enjoyed the lighting of the Christmas tree and other activities at Brown’s Crossing (Photo credit Kathryn Seibert)

“It was non-stop traffic,” said Debby. “It was a great crowd. I think it was awesome because it was families here enjoying a good time. There was stuff for the kids to do; the parents were happy. It was nice to see happy people in Loveland.”

 They had elves and a Town Crier having their picture taken with the families and singing carols.

 “Everybody was in festive spirits,” Thompson said. “They were enjoying the time together. It was whole family units that came down. It was great.”

The “Town Crier” was a great attraction during the Christmas Tree Lighting event (Photo credit Kathryn Seibert)

Parents and kids loved the getting photos with the snow blowing by the fire. There were arts and crafts and refreshments from food trucks and various street vendors.

“One of the food trucks sold out. I was so happy to see so many families down here. There were kids lined up to write letters to Santa and make their ornaments,” Larcomb said. “The arts and crafts and food trucks were very happy. One of the food trucks sold out.”

When it was all said and done, it was more than just the lighting of the community Christmas tree, it was a city lit up with holiday decorations all around. 

The lighting of the tree provided the community with a good reason to get out and celebrate the season. The reaction tells the true spirit of the evening.

Jackson Street Market and Brown’s Crossing provided the setting for a festive ceremonial Community Christmas tree lighting Saturday, Decemer 4, in Loveland, Ohio (Chuck Gibson)

“Probably the best comment, I’m hearing it from customers, and Alley has heard it, I’ve seen a few hashtags here and there: hashtag Hallmark Evening, said Larcomb. “That just tells me we hit the mark. We’re really happy.”

A lot of shop owners took a little idea from LSFD Chief Otto Huber and restored a wonderful holiday tradition and created a “Hallmark Moment” in Loveland.

“Otto did an amazing job. The tree was gorgeous, said Thompson. “It truly was like a Hallmark moment, it truly was. It made you feel like a tight small town. It felt like pure joy. After the whole year of the pandemic, it’s just nice to see.”