Santa Claus Comes to Town
Dec 22, 2018 12:00AM ● By By Susan Maxwell skinner
County Supervisor Susan Peters and puppy Phoebe share Christmas wishes with the North Pole Ambassador. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Clear skies – and faux snow -- blessed the 16th annual tree lighting ceremony in Carmichael Park last week.
Leading a community count-down, Supervisor Susan Peters ignited thousands of fairy lights on the 50ft park Christmas tree and surrounding illuminations. Peters’ date was puppy Phoebe – the County’s new First Dog. The mini-schnauzer was rescued and adopted by Peters following the retirement of elderly predecessor Ernie, who prefers to stay home on cold evenings these days. Part of Phoebe’s big night out was a nose-to-nose with Santa Claus.
Big band carols heralded dignitary arrivals and scores of children stood patiently in line for an audience at the gilded throne with the merriest VIP of all. An estimated crowd of 1500 attended. Food trucks fed the multitudes.
Machine-generated snow flurries dotted upturned noses and eyelashes with white stuff. The park Christmas decorations may be viewed on the park’s Fair Oaks Boulevard frontage every night until the end of December.
