December 1st 2007
The East Bay’s Old Oak Tree Lighting Celebration In Danville!
The 31st Annual Lighting Of The Old Oak Tree is another example of the definition of community.
I have lived in the East Bay since 1970 and have seen community traditions come and go. However, one that has endured as a shining example of how a community defines its quality of life is the annual lighting of the Old Oak Tree in Danville the evening after Thanksgiving. This year it was the 31st tree lighting and it was the one of the earliest lightings in history.
The Town of Danville’s vice mayor, Candace Anderson said, “It’s a wonderful event this is all about increasing the Town’s sense of community. It’s a chance each year to be downtown with all your neighbors.” Along with the 7,500 people that strolled downtown last Friday night, the San Ramon High School Chorus lead a Holiday sing-a-long with Ken Abrahms as their director. Father Christmas and the Snow Angel performed the ceremonial tree lighting from 6:15PM to 6:30PM with the magical “ooohs and ahhhs” from the little kids as well the adults.
After the tree lighting most of the downtown businesses stay open late and host music and entertainment for all the families that walk around town until about 9PM. The co-sponsor of the event is the Danville Chamber Of Commerce and their president, Melony Newman, said, “When you bring that many people downtown, there is also going to be a great benefit to the downtown businesses that also participate in the magical night that starts the Holiday season for the entire community.” 
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley will feature the “Christmas Memories” exhibit from now through January 5, 2008. The exhibit features toys and keepsakes from previous Valley generations for all of us to enjoy. In fact, Santa Claus will be visiting the museum on December 15th and December 22nd for any of the Valley’s children that might want to stop by for a chat.
Danville is one of the great examples of creating a quality of life for the San Ramon Valley that adds to the reasons why families find this community so desirable to live in. Let me know some of your Holiday traditions that have been a part of your family celebrations. Until next time.
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