SAN DIEGO — East Village got a visit from the North Pole with the presence of Santa during its tree lighting event. Cheers of excitement rang out as the tree lit up to celebrate the holiday season.
“It warms my heart just to know, you know everyone comes down not only from this community but from outside to support East village,” East Village Association Board member Robyn Spencer said.
The event featured live music, crafts and about 40 local vendors which drew in a large crowd of people and pets to the fun. Families also got the opportunity to take a picture with Santa.
“One of the reasons why we do this is because of my now very tall son who’s 17. Years ago we wanted to do a tree lighting here to prove that there were families that actually live downtown and thrived here and so that’s why we started this tree lighting event,” Spencer said.
East Village Association District Manager Dominic Li Mandri tells CBS 8, this event has been going on for about a decade at various locations around East Village.
“Unity it really is, it's a cornerstone of East Village identity,” Li Mandri said.
Di Mandri said this event brings about 1,000 people throughout its four hour period.
“I just want people to know that this is a community in San Diego that is thriving and worth coming down to,” Spencer said.
The Christmas tree is located near 13th Street and Quartyard in East Village.
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