THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220299
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
The holiday season will officially begin in Chesapeake Dec. 1 with the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree.
The tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., prior to the annual parade at the Municipal Center sponsored by the Great Bridge Jaycees.
``Up until last year the parade took place first, and then we had the tree lighting,'' said Gail McClure Bradshaw of the Special Programs Office of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department. ``But for families with young children, that was a long time to wait before seeing the tree lighting. So last year we decided to hold it first and then start the parade. That way everybody can see all of the events. It worked out well last year.''
Mayor William E. Ward and members of the Chesapeake City Council will help light the tree.
After that, the entertainment will begin:
The Chesapeake Civic Chorus, under the direction of Geraldine T. Boone, will perform a program of classical and pops seasonal favorites.
A group of 70 students from Great Bridge Middle School, under the leadership of interim director Melanie Dinkle, will sing a slate of traditional seasonal favorites.
``Melanie Dinkle was once a Great Bridge Junior High School student who was inspired by Carolyn Myers (head of Great Bridge High School's choral department) to work as a choral teacher,'' Bradshaw said. ``This is a dream-come-true for her. It was always her childhood ambition to do this.''
To end the ceremony, 35 kids from the Chesapeake Fun Forest Children's Committee will sing popular Christmas tunes.
After the ceremony, the professional entertainment group Party Animals will present a half-hour show for children called ``Santa-Saurus,'' about the days before reindeer when Santa used dinosaurs to deliver his seasonal goodies.
``The skits and music will keep children of all ages entertained before the parade reaches City Hall,'' Bradshaw said.
For those families who skip dinner to get a good place for the lighting ceremonies, a food vendor will be on hand to sell hot dogs, cold drinks, apple cider and other snacks.
Restroom facilities will be available at the Great Bridge Community Center, 212 Holt Drive, and at the Chesapeake Central Library, 298 Cedar Road. ILLUSTRATION: TREE LIGHTING
What: The 25th annual Chesapeake Christmas Tree Lighting
Ceremony.
When: 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1 (before the start of the Great
Bridge Jaycees' Christmas Parade).
Where: In front of Chesapeake City Hall on Cedar Road.
Cost: Free. Call 547-6411.
by CNB