SAN ANTONIO — By this point the weather has cooled off enough, and for long enough, that San Antonians can (probably) start getting excited about Christmastime without worrying about a stray 90-degree afternoon before January.
Downtown is one of the places to be during the holiday season in San Antonio—not just for some outdoor ice skating or marveling at twinkling River Walk lights, but for snapping photos in front of the glistening H-E-B Christmas Tree at Travis Park.
That tree, a Nordmann fir measuring 50 feet high, arrived in the Alamo City from Oregon on Nov. 14, was decorated with more than 10,000 lights, as well as "dozens of colorful handmade ornaments," and the light switch officially flipped on Friday. H-E-B says it contributes more than $250,000 every year to transporting and decorating the tree.
The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree filled Travis Park with hundreds of families, many of whom have made the event a yearly tradition.
"I think our city has a lot of spirit. Whatever we're celebrating, we go big," said Valerie Alvarez, who has attended the tree lighting ever since she can remember. "Just the feeling of togetherness. Showing (my daughter) how much we love her and we want to spend time with her... everyone's in a good mood!"
"...and we see friends and family out here!" added Alvarez's husband, Henry.
For Melanie Martinez and family from San Antonio, it was their first time witnessing the tree lighting in-person.
"It's a different Christmas this year for us, so we're just trying to adapt and just be a happy family and make sure everybody gets what they want," said Martinez. "To me, it was really important for us this year to be able to see the lights and see the smile on their faces."
Eight-year-old Parker Brown remembers attending his first tree lighting when he was 4. His mother, Jennifer Living, says it kicks off their Christmas season.
"It's a family tradition for us. It starts with their tree lighting then we go home and do our own tree lighting," said Living.
Parker couldn't believe how many lights shined bright above him at Travis Park. When the bulbs turned on for the first time, he and his mother couldn't help but dance.
Before our interview with Parker ended, he shared some advice: "Everybody in the world can make a difference on Christmas Day that could help the world."
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