Charlottesville Illuminates Its 2010 Christmas Tree

Times have changed.

In Jerry Herman's song from Mame, "We Need a Little Christmas," young Patrick expresses astonishment that his Auntie Mame wants to begin celebrating Christmas so early, because it's just "one week past Thanksgiving Day!"

That was in the 1920s.  Now it's the 2010s and Christmas celebrations begin one week before Thanksgiving Day.

At least that's true in Charlottesville, where tonight civic officials, media figures, and local residents came together for the "Grand Illumination" of the downtown mall, and the sparking of 18,000 lights on the Christmas tree at Central Place.

Here are video highlights of the ceremony, featuring Bo Sykes of the Newsplex and Libby Allison of NBC29 as emcees, General Registrar Sheri Iachetta leading the singing ("Deck the Halls," "Jingle Bells," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!), and Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris, Vice Mayor Holly Edwards, and City Councilors Satyendra Huja and Kristin Szakos, as well as Albemarle County Supervisor Duane Snow, marking the festivities.

For those in a nostalgic mood, check out this post from 2008, with video of that year's Christmas tree illumination in Charlottesville.

Also, check out the Christmas items I have designed at my CafePress shop, called (naturally) "Gifts from RickSincere.com."

Update, Saturday, November 20:  I just uploaded another video from the Grand Illumination to YouTube.  This one has musical selections from the Jeffersonland Chorus, a barbershop harmony group.  They sang, among other familiar tunes, "Jingle Bells," "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," "O Holy Night," and "Silent Night."