Hundreds gather at Fort Walton Landing for lighting of Christmas tree

Devon Ravine, Northwest Florida Daily News
·1 min read

FORT WALTON BEACH — With lights and sirens blaring, Santa Claus rode into town Friday night atop a Fort Walton Beach fire truck to help kick off the holiday season with the city’s “Light Up the Night” event at the Fort Walton Landing.

Santa waded through hundreds of admirers, posing for pictures before reading a story to the assembled crowd.

Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson led the countdown to the official lighting of the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree and the other decorations that dotted the downtown park.

Sandi Fowler and Cindy Swanson with the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus sing Christmas carols as hundreds gather around at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Friday evening for the annual lighting of the city's 30-foot-tall Christmas tree.
Sandi Fowler and Cindy Swanson with the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus sing Christmas carols as hundreds gather around at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Friday evening for the annual lighting of the city's 30-foot-tall Christmas tree.

As the crowd gathered around the lighted tree, they were treated to a variety of Christmas carols courtesy of the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus. The chorus will be having us its annual holiday show, " Wonderful Christmas Time,” Dec. 10-12 at the at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. To find out more visit fwbcc.org.

Don't miss an event: Parades, light displays spread holiday cheer across Northwest Florida. Here's the lineup:

'Tis the season: Shopping for deals, fun and tradition: Black Friday returns to Northwest Florida

As for the Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade, spectators can expect to see more than 100 floats. Rainer recommends showing up early. The parade will be held 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

The Christmas tree, which is a popular location for family photos, will be lit at dusk every evening through Christmas.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Fort Walton Landing park Friday evening to watch the annual lighting of the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree as well as the other decorated trees around the downtown park.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Fort Walton Landing park Friday evening to watch the annual lighting of the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree as well as the other decorated trees around the downtown park.

In about a week Santa will return to the city for Fort Walton Beach’s annual Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 and will run north on Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Christmas tree lighting in Fort Walton Beach draws hundreds