Adults, teens and young children came out for the fourth annual Light up Estero event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Estero at the Estero Community Park on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
Upon arrival, guests were presented a 2017 Christmas ornament, cookies and water by the RotaKids from Three Oaks Elementary School.
Sounds of glee echoed from the bounce slide, other children played games on the lawn, the smell of Naples Smoked BBQ wafted through the air and the adults were entertained by the Estero High School Wildcat Jazz Band.
Rotary President Tom Patricca served as master of ceremonies, reminding folks to purchase raffle tickets for holiday wreaths with the proceeds benefiting Estero High School Scholarships.
Mayor Jim Boesch welcomed the crowd and introduced the Village Councilmembers and their wives including: Howard Levitan, Jon McLain, Katy Errington, Nick Batos and Jim Wilson. Vice-Mayor Bill Ribble was unavailable.
The New Horizons Choir had the crowd oohing and awing with their renditions of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” and “Silent Night”.
Estero High School junior Allie Ott read “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” and “The Legend of the Christmas Tree”.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in grand style via an Estero Fire Rescue fire truck. Santa lit the Christmas tree to cheers from the crowd and then gave all the children an opportunity to have their picture taken with him.
FineMark Bank donated the Christmas tree and ornaments, along with a large number of contributors and volunteers who all made this special community event happen again this year.