O.C. holiday staple

The South Coast Plaza kicked off the holiday season this year by hosting the annual lighting of the Segerstrom Family Christmas Tree at Town Center Park yesterday.

The event, in its 26th year, has long been a staple of an Orange County Christmas, South Coast Plaza representative Debra Downing said.

“It’s a great way to get yourself into the holiday spirit, because it’s very happy,” she said. “At just the right moment, they do the lighting and have a beautiful ‘ta-da’ moment, with the tree lit and the holiday music — it’s all very beautiful.”

The tree, a white fir more than 95 feet tall, was adorned with more than 20,000 lights over a period of several weeks, organizers said.

While not adorned with ornaments, a special request by Henry Segerstrom himself, the tree remained a sight to behold, even among the other towering trees in its vicinity.

The crowd, which organizers estimated to be around 1,000 people, was first entertained with a lively performance by students from the Orange County High School of the Arts, who performed Christmas carols and a musical about Santa Claus’ North Pole workshop.

The students also performed carols for those leaving the park after the festivities.

“I loved the music,” said Jessica Galaviz, an audience member, while inspecting the well-decked tree. “The students were really, really good.”

Galaviz was “dragged” by her friend, Malinee Chum, who says she has come to the event for about five years to find the perfect Christmas ambience.

“It’s fun, and really puts you in the Christmas mood,” she grinned.

But, the event wasn’t entirely just about Christmas — Stan Taeger, director for the Office of Property Management at South Coast Plaza, dedicated the tree lighting to local firefighters who battled the fires that raged in Santiago Canyon earlier last month.

“We have dedicated our tree lighting ceremony to those who protect and serve our families,” he said.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626.