Menifee Christmas Tree Lighting event draws huge crowd

From left: City Council member Lesa Sobek, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, Mayor Neil Winter, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Liesemeyer, and City Council member Greg August welcome residents to the Christmas Tree Lighting. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

The biggest crowd ever for a City of Menifee Christmas Tree Lighting showed up outside City Hall Saturday night to welcome Santa Claus and the holiday season.

Residents filled a long section of Haun Road in front of City Hall and around the corner for the event, which returned to its original location after four years at the oak tree roundabout at the future site of the Menifee Town Center on Newport Road. The celebration was held on a much smaller scale at City Hall in 2011 and 2012 before moving to the Menifee Town Center site. Construction there resulted in the return to Haun Road and the lighting of a real Christmas tree -- a fir tree donated to the City at its inception in 2008 and now standing tall in front of City headquarters.

Santa Claus thrilled the youngsters by arriving in a fire engine, then joining members of the Menifee City Council on stage to help the crowd count down to the flip of the switch lighting up the huge tree. Afterward, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children from a bench in front of the tree while live musical entertainment continued.

Children were showered with simulated snowflakes following the tree lighting. Down the street, past rows of vendor booths, other kids slid down a hill of man-made snow in sleds. With the extra space and fir tree rather than oak tree to light up, the event was deemed a success, with some in the crowd suggesting the event should remain at this site in future years.

Residents greeted one another in front of the official city Christmas tree and enjoyed a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Snow in Menifee? It happened in front of City Hall Saturday night, and the kids loved it.

Kids got to spin the wheel for prizes and adults checked out local vendor and food booths.

Kids had fun sledding down a hill of snow during Saturday night's event.

The Paloma Valley High School jazz ensemble was one of many groups entertaining the crowd.

And what Christmas gathering would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus?