December 5 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Tree Lighting and Drone Show Brings the City of Benicia Together

Benicia’s financial struggles haven’t been able to stop the city’s annual Tree Lighting ceremony, set once again to feature lights, Santa and a drone show.

The tradition of Benicia’s tree lighting is important to many in the community, drawing a crowd of well over 5,000, says David Batchelor, the chair of Benicia Community Foundation (BCF), helping out with this year’s event.

“It brings the community together,” says board member Darrel Doi. “It’s something that people expect, to be able to gather at the end of First Street to see the tree lighting. For all that to disappear would not be good for the community.”

This year, the tree lighting event is growing, adding a drone lights show and performances by VOENA Children’s Choir.

With the help of Ryan DeAmaral from 3Eye Media, the drone show will feature holiday imagery, such as Santa’s sleigh, in the sky over the water moving to the beat of holiday music. “You have to see it to really appreciate it,” says Batchelor.

The event also benefits businesses downtown, says Doi. “It creates an opportunity for a family to come down together and do something,” he says.

For the board members of BCF, there is one overall highlight of the event: Seeing the kids.

“They’re in awe,” says Batchelor. “Just the magic that it creates within the community, the families, and the overall camaraderie you see between all the residents that come down and gather on the street.

“It creates a childhood memory.”

BCF hopes to continue its collaboration with the city of Benicia for future events. “Key supporters like Republic Services, 3Eye Media, and VOENA generously contributed their resources and expertise, while Benicia Ace Hardware played a pivotal role last year as a major sponsor,” BCF said in a statement.

If you go …

• WHAT: Benicia Tree Lighting and Drone Show
• WHEN: Dec. 6, 6-9 p.m.
• WHERE: First Street, Benicia.