- October 13, 2024
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The Town Center Green was shoulder to shoulder with holiday spirit Saturday night for the annual Christmas tree lighting.
The general manager at Casa Del Mar, Mark Meador, strings the lights each year. But as the oak tree grows, so does the job. He used his landscaping crew this year to get 4,000 feet of lights wrapped around the branches.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium mascots, Gilly the shark and Shelley the sea turtle, roamed through the crowd taking pictures. Of course, Santa stopped by too.
Rotary Club’s Nancy Rozance loves playing Santa each year. Her husband Jack even bought her new black boots with white trim for her 2022 season. Rozance notes that Light up Longboat is the only time of the year you’ll see so many children gathered together on Longboat Key.
With attendees ranging from nine months to 99 years old, it’s an event for all ages. Toddlers and seniors donned Santa hats, antlers and anything else that could light up. The Town Center Green glowed with holiday glee.