There was singing and dancing by performers from groups such as the Bisbee Ministerial Fellowship & Community Chorus and the Ritmos Dance Studio in Naco, Sonora, Mexico.
Hundreds of people turned out. Many businesses were open, with shoppers inside purchasing holiday gifts. Outside, both children and adults sipped on hot chocolate in the brisk weather.
  
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The event brings the community together in a festive time of celebration and musical performances, Mayor Ronald Oertle said, reading from a proclamation.
“The Festival of Lights ceremony carries on the holiday tradition that President Calvin Coolidge first started when he ceremoniously lit the first outdoor tree at the White House in 1923,” he stated.
Then, Oertle led the audience in counting down from 10 to one, at which time strings of lights along streets in Old Bisbee were illuminated. Later, Santa arrived in a historic fire truck and gave goodies to children.
Ross Corsair, of Scottsdale, attended the festival with some members of his family. His niece and nephew were excited to see Santa.
“I have lived in New York City, I have lived in a lot of different cities around the world. Bisbee is unique. There are not a lot of small towns like this anywhere around the world, really,” he said.
During an interview, Oertle said the Festival of Lights creates “a unique atmosphere” in the city.
“Bisbee always has a wonderful Christmas spirit and is delightful for the people who live here and for out-of-town visitors,” he said. “If you come from out of town, you will feel that special magic.”
The Festival of Lights was first held in 1988, according to LaVerne Williams, the mistress of ceremonies.
REPORTER Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
VIDEO ONLINE
Watch for a video of the Festival of Lights on the Herald/Review’s Web site, www.svherald.com, next week.
