Murrieta Set to Kick Off Holiday Season Nov. 30

Written by Sarah Brimhall

With a 35-foot Coastal Redwood tree delivered and planted Friday morning at Town Square Park, the City of Murrieta is preparing to kick off the holiday season with music, food, trees and Santa.

Saturday, Nov. 30 promises to be a festive day filled with music, decorated trees, a live nativity, a parade, food, Santa and the lighting of the city's new tree.

The music will begin at Town Square Park at 4 p.m. with presentations from a number of local church and high school choirs. Among those sharing their musical talents will be the Murrieta Mesa High School RAMblers A Cappella choir, Gateway Church of the Nazarene, a youth choir from Promise Lutheran Church, a combined adult and children’s choir from St. Martha's Catholic Church, The Rock Church, Vista Murrieta High School Chamber Choir, Murrieta Valley High School Chamber Singers and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Murrieta Stake Choir.

The music will pause for the traditional Push Cart Parade that will bring Santa to the party on a fire truck. Other participants in the parade include: the Vista Murrieta Marching Band, Pacific Coast magic and Miss Wheelchair California. The parade will begin at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Kalmia Street and travel south on Washington to B Street. The parade will turn left on B Street and continue to Town Square Park.

Once he has arrived, children can enjoy getting their picture taken with Santa as well as participating in a number of game booths that will be available to them. Numerous food and vendor booths will also be open for attendees to walk around and partake in. Enjoy a cup of hot wassail and cinnamon roll from one of the vendors and the proceeds will be donated to the Murrieta children's fund. Another highlight of this fun-filled evening will be a live nativity that will include two live camels.

In addition to the music, food and various booths there will be a number of decorated trees on display, having been donated by individuals and organizations for the Festival of Trees. These 5- to 6-foot tall trees can be sponsored for $25 and are decorated by the group or individual sponsoring them. Once this event is over, these trees will be given to families in need within the community to enjoy during the holiday season. For more information on sponsoring a tree, visit www.murrieta.org/HolidayMagic.

All this fun and festivity will culminate with Rhonda Parish from St. Martha's Catholic Church leading a large combined choir in a performance of Silent Night. The large 35-foot tall Christmas tree will be lighted at the end of the song and then will be followed the choirs and all those in attendance joining in voice to sing Joy to the World, being lead by Pastor Teresa Taylor of The Rock Church. After the official tree lighting ceremony, everyone in the park can enjoy a free concert from The Brewer Boys.

This event will also serve as the kick off for Murrieta’s annual toy and food drive.

City of Murrieta Special Events Coordinator Laura Frasso said: “Attendees are encouraged to bring canned food and new unwrapped toys to “fill the sleigh” within the park.”

This free event is open to all so dress warm and bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the grass to enjoy all that is being offered this night.