Roseville tree lighting celebration
By: Anne Stokes Press Tribune Correspondent
Families filled up Vernon Street in front of Roseville's City Hall to watch the annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration despite the threat of rain.
The Miss Roseville and Folsom royal court was on hand to help celebrate Roseville's annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Clockwise from top left, Miss Folsom Miranda Cobleigh, 18, Ms. Roseville Karen Hourscht, Teen Miss Roseville Samantha Kidder, 15, Miss Roseville Connie Prado, 18, Pre-Teen Miss Roseville Sabrina Kidder, 12, Little Miss Folsom Lily Rodriguez, 6, Little Miss Roseville Sierra Hourscht, 8, Wee Miss Roseville Ashley Hourscht, Young Miss Roseville Kara Bresman, 9, and Wee Miss Folsom Ellie Baker, 2.
Jaden Dement of Roseville, 6, waits to see Santa at Roseville's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Vernon Street.
Roseville Mayor Pauline Roccucci, flanked by Councilwoman Carol Garcia, left, and the Man in Red, leads Roseville's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Vernon Street.
Shelly Petersen of Roseville poses for a fun family snapshot with son Parker Verducci, 12, and daughter Kylee Verducci, 7, at Roseville's annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Vernon Street.
10,000 lights decorate Roseville's official Christmas Tree on Vernon Street.
The Hazen family of Roseville has a moment with Santa Claus at Roseville's City Hall following the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. From left, Faith Hazen, 9, Charlotte Hazen, 2, Angela Hazen, 23, and Drake Hazen, 8.
Despite the threat of rain, which caused the cancelation of the Sylvia Besana Holiday Parade earlier in the day, hundreds of people came out to Vernon Street for Roseville's annual Christmas tree lighting celebration. Just after dark at 6:30 pm, Mayor Pauline Roccucci, Vice Mayor Susan Rohan and Councilwoman Carol Garcia turned on the 10,000 lights with a little help from Santa, who arrived via fire truck, courtesy of the Roseville Fire Department.
"I'm just really happy that we're able to have our holiday lighting. We couldn't have our parade this year, but we can gather together to celebrate a happy Thanksgiving, a merry Christmas and a happy new year," said Roccucci.
"Every year it seems like we get more people coming. Despite the rain, it didn't stop people from coming today and that's a neat thing. I'm happy to see them happy, the kids and the families."