Hundreds Gather For Pasadena Tree Lighting Ceremony

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The holiday season is about cherished traditions for many people. Here in Pasadena, one of those traditions is the Pasadena Business Association (PBA)’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Hundreds of neighbors and local businesses gathered in Lakeshore Plaza on December 3 for the event, which is now in its 10th year.

“ACE Hardware plays a big part. We help set the parking lot up,” said PBA president and event chair Doug Cashmere of Costello’s Ace Hardware & Hearth. “Bay Country Rentals donates the heaters every year; we have Brewster’s with ice cream; Mutiny Pirate Bar brought cookies, The Greene Turtle is here making hot chocolate; Gersbeck’s also brought cookies; and the PBA has a booth talking about our organization and handing out our membership information. It’s a great event.”

The entertainment for the evening was provided by DJ Marcus and Northeast High School’s Deep Treble ensemble. After the tree was lit, Santa Claus rode in with the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company to take photos with the children. All of the photos were free and donated by MOJO.

“It’s all about the kids. This is near and dear to me, and I love giving back to the community,” said Mike Jacobs, owner of Up & Out Boat Lifts and J.B. Machine and Marine. “It’s great to see all these kids and seeing the smiles on their faces.”

Jacobs was a part of the group that founded the event. He credits the PBA with the event’s popularity.

“The PBA took over and they have been making it bigger, better and more memorable every year. You see the numbers grow every year,” said Jacobs.

For many Pasadena residents, this event is about more than lighting the tree. It’s about community involvement and bringing people together.

“What we see each year is more and more people getting involved and giving back to the community,” said Jacobs. “We never wanted to be a vendor or sales type of thing. It’s just about what we can do to give back to the community.

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