It was a perfect weather day for the Rotary Club of Estero’s 5th Annual Light up Estero at the Estero Community Park on December 1, 2018.
Children’s activities on the lawn included Christmas light basket toss, wreath toss and being treated to balloon sculptures.
Mayor Jim Boesch welcomed the crowd and introduced the Village Councilmembers and their spouses including: Vice-Mayor Bill Ribble, Howard Levitan, Katy Errington, Nick Batos and Jim Wilson. Jon McLain was unavailable.
Rich Hart, President of the Rotary Club of Estero, served as master of ceremonies introducing the New Horizons of Southwest Florida Choir; the Estero High School Scholarship recipients Marcos Bartolo, Makenzie Levantini and Jon Spenard; the Three Oaks Middle School Jazz Band, and Gary Israel who led the crowd in a group sing-a-long prior to Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf arriving via an Estero Fire Rescue truck with sirens blaring. 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 and Mrs. Claus.
The New Horizons Choir had the crowd oohing and awing with their renditions of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”, “Jingle Bells” and “Feliz Navidad”.
FineMark Bank donated the Christmas tree along with a large number of contributors and volunteers who all made this special community event happen again this year.
The Rotary will use proceeds from this event to provide scholarships for Estero High School students.