Residents bundled up in their winter’s best and gathered to see Signal Hill City Hall become illuminated with the lights from a Christmas tree adorning the front lawn Wednesday night.
“The tree before us is part of our Signal Hill tradition and has been seamless through both triumphs and tragedies,” Mayor Keir Jones said. “Christmas and New Years have always been a time to reflect on the past and then look ahead to the future. I firmly believe that 2023 will be a brighter year for Signal Hill.”
Over 100 Signal Hill residents crowded onto Jessie Nelson Circle in front of City Hall to witness the 30-foot-tall tree light up while munching on free cookies and hot cocoa.
Families waited in line for their turn to meet with Santa and have their pictures taken.
“We really do have so much to be grateful for this year,” said Mayor Jones before giving the order to light the tree and the radio tower at the top of the hill. “Just the ability to gather here this evening is remarkable, given some of the challenges that last year brought.”
Following the mayor’s remarks and the tree lighting, young performers from My Art sang a medley of Christmas-themed Broadway musical show tunes for the crowd. Children were invited to create their own paper scratch-off, colorful Christmas tree ornaments for their own trees at home.
In Photos:
Children scratch away at carbon-covered Christmas tree ornaments at the Signal Hill Tree Lighting ceremony on Nov. 30, 2022, at the Signal Hill City Hall. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
The young member of My Art perform a medley of Christmas-themed Broadway show tunes for the crowd that gathered for the Signal Hill Tree Lighting ceremony on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
The photographer for the City of Signal Hill takes a video of city officials outside of City Hall during the Signal Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
An attendee of the Signal Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony receives a free cookie and some hot chocolate during the event on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
The sign for the Signal Hill city hall building is seen through the Christmas tree lights that were illuminated on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
City officials pose with Signal Hill Mayor Keir Jones for a group photo after the lighting of the Christmas tree outside of City Hall on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune) 
The young member of My Art perform a medley of Christmas-themed Broadway show tunes for the crowd that gathered for the Signal Hill Tree Lighting ceremony on Nov. 30, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
