Tree lighting at Heavenly Village brings out the crowds, fireworks, and Santa Claus

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The official lighting of the Christmas tree at Heavenly Village on Friday brought out the crowds to watch Santa Claus arrive as the tree was lit amidst fireworks, entertainment, and speeches from some elected officials.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in grand style aboard the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue ladder truck. Their arrival captivated the audience, setting the tone for an evening full of holiday cheer and community spirit. The Clauses made their way to the stage, greeted by the excited cheers of the whole crowd, young and old.

As the crowd watched, the fire truck ladder was then extended to the top of the tree as Firefighter Eric Dunn climbed up, touched the star, and lit the 65-foot tree. This was immediately followed by a dazzling fireworks display.

The event also featured a performance by Kristen Brown, the Roseville resident who survived the knockout round and is a member of Team Legend. Her appearance and musical talent were a major highlight, enchanting the audience and setting the stage for her headline performance on New Year's Eve in the village which was announced Friday.

In addition, the event was graced by notable community figures. Miss Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe, Karsyn Leifauf, was in attendance and received a scholarship check for $1000 for her passion for the Heavenly Village and Lake Tahoe. City of South Lake Tahoe Councilwoman Tamara Wallace also addressed the crowd. She thanked the visitors and locals, highlighting the importance of community events in fostering a strong and united local spirit. Kenny Curtzweiler, affectionately known as the Tahoe Ski Bum, who played a pivotal role in procuring the magnificent tree, shared his experiences and the significance of the tree to the community.

El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf and Congressman Kevin Kiley delivered speeches to those in attendance.

"This year's tree lighting ceremony has truly exceeded our expectations. The unparalleled turnout and the electric atmosphere created by our community are clear indicators of the vibrant spirit that defines Heavenly Village," said Gary Casteel Jr., president and CEO of TSI Investments, The Shops at Heavenly Village. "We are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating this cherished tradition and made it a night to remember. On behalf of my entire family, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas."

"We set out to do the unimaginable. We are immensely grateful for the record-breaking turnout at this year's tree lighting ceremony," said Dreu Murin, who coordinated the event. "The spectacular arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, the stunning performance by Kristen Brown, and the heartfelt speeches by my good friends Sheriff Leikauf, Congressman Kiley, and our esteemed local figures make this a truly memorable event for our community and visitors from around the world."

For more on all of the holiday events at the Village, visit https://theshopsatheavenly.com/.