A festive sing-along, a 75-foot tree Douglas fir tree and 9,500 lights made for a holiday trifecta Friday night at the 39th annual tree-lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. The event kicks off the holiday season in Portland.
Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes and other members of Pink Martini led the sing-along. Also performing were Grant High School’s Royal Blues Choir and Sam Barlow High School’s Concert Choir, among others.
A group of about 200 demonstrators gathered near the tree as thousands of revelers spilled into surrounding streets. Chants of “Free Palestine” and “Long Live Palestine” mingled with the strains of holiday verses.
“Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! Good luck out there. It’s a tough world,” Lauderdale said before launching into “Feliz Navidad” as an encore to close the celebration.
Donny Rivera of Portland received a kiss from Mrs. Claus at the 39th annual tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square. November 24, 2023Beth Nakamura
Several other holiday events are planned across the city and state, including “Woodsy Winter Village,” which features an ice skating rink and holiday marketplace under the west end of the Morrison Bridge.
Over the weekend, Pioneer Courthouse Square, known as Portland’s living room, will also play host to Portland Bazaar at The Square, which will feature more than 40 vendors set up around the tree.
– Beth Nakamura
Instagram: @bethnakamura