Long defunct holiday tradition set to shine once more
Who needs Rockefeller Plaza?
For the third consecutive year, our neighborhood is going to have a tree lighting of its own, and organizers say it will be bigger than ever.
The event, dubbed “Light Up Lakewood,” will take place Saturday, Dec. 4, from 6-9 p.m. The tree is located in Harrell Park, a small plot of green space across the street from Minyard’s, adjacent to the parking lot for such stores as Metro Retro and Talulah Belle.
In fact, the event is a resurgence of an old neighborhood tradition. The tree lighting once was organized by the former Lakewood Business Association, but ended when that association merged with the Dallas Northeast Chamber of Commerce.
Then, two years ago, Talulah Belle’s owner, neighborhood resident Elizabeth Mast, decided it was time to bring the tradition back.
“I had just opened Talulah,” she says. “And the support of the neighborhood was so great that I thought it would be nice to host a holiday celebration, to thank our neighbors for their support.
“That was really the start of it,” she says.
This year, she’s joined in her efforts by members of the newly re-established Lakewood Business Association and Professional Bank Lakewood.
The bank, says spokesperson Jennifer Barrow, will host an open house and art exhibit, with refreshments, from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit is on loan from neighborhood resident Jaime Sendra.
Back at the park, other festivities are planned. Santa, as portrayed by Gary Griffith, will be on hand for photos, and many of the stores at the intersection of Gaston and Abrams will be staying open late and offering discounts, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and restaurants Cantina Laredo and Carrabba’s will also serve up refreshments.
LBA members Vickie Thompson and Carol Hensley say they’re excited to be a part of this neighborhood tradition’s revival.
“Lakewood is just such a neat area,” Thompson says. “It’s historical, but it’s also very artsy, and that’s why we love it. We just really wanted to bring the community together during the holidays.”
Mast agrees and says with the extra help, she expects a bigger turnout than ever.
“I think it will be a great event,” she says, “and we’re really pleased that the LBA is helping out.”
