Moses Lake kicks off the holiday season

MOSES LAKE - About 30 people braved the cold and wind to help celebrate the start of the holiday season in Moses Lake.

The Holiday Street Tree Lighting, sponsored by the Moses Lake Business Association, took place in along Third Avenue Saturday evening. The Moses Lake High School cheerleaders and Rock'n B Cloggers performed before trees and light poles were lit.

"There's probably about 30 trees that are all decorated," association Executive Director Marianne Kirwan said. "The MLBA puts up all the wreaths and the Christmas banners and the lights for downtown for Christmas. We put them up on (Nov.) 4 with help from CenturyLink and Northland Cable and Job Corps sent out some students."

The event was aimed at attracting people to the downtown businesses to start their shopping for the holidays, Kirwan said.

"It's a yearly event, so a lot of people come down every year that have brought their kids down every year and light trees up," she said. "Downtown businesses do this holiday open house where they stay open later hours, so this has always been the cap off for that event."

LaRene and Kali Black came to the event to watch the Rock'n B Cloggers perform at the event. Kali was bundled against the cold.

"Her dad is the director of the Rock'n B Cloggers," LaRene said of her granddaughter. "I have a granddaughter here from Kodiak, Alaska."

They've come to the event for about four years, LaRene said; adding she likes the event.

"It gets us in the spirit of Christmas," she said.

After the performances, people moved to the lamp poles and trees decorated with lights. Addy Carlisle was one of the children ready to turn on the lights. The 6-year-old girl said she was excited about turning on the lights.

"It's a lot of fun," Kirwan said. "It's the start of the holiday season ... We want to remind people that there are stores downtown and places to eat and people that need them to support them."