An ‘Island Style’ tree lighting

Photo by Glenn Walton

Islanders gather around the tree, in all its holiday glory, at Veterans Community Park on Saturday night. Glenn Walton/Special To The Eagle

MARCO ISLAND — Attendees officially welcomed the holidays Saturday as a large crowd gathered at Veterans Community Park Saturday night for the 21st Christmas Island Style’s Tree Lighting.

The ceremony was the first public event to be held at Veterans Community Park. The tree was blessed by Rev. Kyle Bennett of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Don Farmer and Chris Curle were the emcees for the event. Don and Chris kept the crowd entertained as they introduced a succession of holiday themed entertainment.

The Townsend Family: Kelly, Rich and Riki performed in their 9th tree lighting. Riki has been performing at the tree lighting since she was 5 years old. Lou Gataroli, past president of the Marco Italian American Society, had the honor of lighting this year’s tree. The Marco Italian American Society donated $10,000 seven years ago for the 30 foot tall Christmas tree.

The festive crowd was treated to dancing from the Island Dance Academy. This was the 6th year that the Island Dance Academy has participated in the ceremony. The academy has been very busy lately as eight of their dancers performed in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Dancers from Spotlight Dance Studio and members of the Recreational Tappers of Southwest Florida also performed. Long time Marco Island resident Johnny Angel performed “Merry Christmas Marco Island” and Fran Skylar performed “Jingle Bell Rock” during the event.

As has become a tree lighting tradition, participants showed off their tailgating abilities as friends gathers to share the good times and sample a large selection of tailgating favorites.