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Ontario’s annual Christmas celebration is scheduled to begin Friday.
The yearly tree-lighting ceremony will he held at 5:30 p.m. at Ontario Town Square at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and C Street, said Sue Oxarart, spokeswoman for the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau.
City officials will light the tree in a ceremony that will begin two events: this year’s Christmas on Euclid Experience and a year-long celebration of Ontario’s 125th anniversary, according to a statement released by the visitors bureau.
Last year’s tree lighting attracted about 2,000 people, and this year’s event should attract at least that many if the weather is good, Oxarart said.
“There’s no rain in the forecast so we should be OK,” Oxarart said. “It’s a pretty big event. The nativity scenes are already up, but otherwise everything along Euclid Avenue will light up on Friday night. It’s a real festival of light for the city.”
A cartoon and full-length feature will be shown after the tree lighting, and carolers and a dance company will also perform. Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and arrive no later than 5 p.m.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will appear at a breakfast at the Ontario Senior Center. A slate of free entertainment is also scheduled for later in the day, including performances by the Southern California Mormon Choir, the Rainbow Express Dance Company Holiday Dancers and singers from the Ontario-Montclair School District.
“A Rocky Mountain Christmas,” a tribute to John Denver, is also scheduled.
The Christmas on Euclid Experience is non-profit organization established by the visitors bureau. It produces the city’s annual Christmas celebration. For more information visit www.ChristmasOnEuclid.com
