St Johns Town Center Tree Lighting with American Idol
American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is scheduled to headline the third annual holiday event at St. Johns Town Center on November 21, 2009.
This event is filled with holiday festivities including live entertainment, kids activities and even fireworks. Beginning at noon, you can enjoy a street festival featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, giveaways, carnival games, balloon artists, face painting and characters from the popular online community Tootsville. There will also be very merry activities like bounce houses, a magician and jugglers.
The Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with special performances from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville Mass Choir and Charlie Walker. At 8 p.m., the fifth-season winner of American Idol Taylor Hicks will perform his soulful hit songs as well as seasonal favorites to get everyone into the holiday spirit. This season’s concert takes place in a new location in front of the Great Tree in Park Green near Maggiano’s.
Immediately following the performance, Taylor Hicks will join Santa to lead the audience in an exciting countdown to light the dazzling 30-foot tree and a spectacular fireworks finale!
“We’ve had such a great response from the community the past two years, and 2009 is even bigger and better with extended festivities,” said Kristin Balvin, director of mall marketing and business development for St. Johns Town Center. “We are thrilled to bring back the tree lighting again this year and look forward to sharing this holiday tradition with Jacksonville families.”
I’m insulted that Simon is not calling the tree what it is: A Christmas tree. The St. Johns Town Center will not be getting my business this Chrismas season.
get over it richard… it’s just a lighting of a tree. just because they don’t put the word “christmas” in front of the word “tree”, doesn’t mean you have to be insulted and not celebrate with the rest of the community.
I truly believe this is a wonderful idea for the entire family and community to enjoy together.
I too am insulted that Simon Mall would take “Christ” out of Christmas while trying to pad their wallets with Christian money…I’ll find another place to shop and it want be the St.Johns Town Center or the Avenues Mall in Jacksonville.
All of you “Christian” people are too worried about menial little words than the actual spirit of christmas time.. get over yourself , nay get over your religion for once and enjoy life.
Hey, I work at Maggianos which is where the tree is and i need you money so shop in the town center for christ sake. See i put “christ” in there to make richard and will happy. Merry Christmas you little jerks!!
CHRISTmas is about CHRIST, so yeah it should be called a CHRISTMAS tree.
if its going to be all about CHRSTmas with a tree, call it what it is.
Just to let you all know that the Christmas tree is actually a pagan symbol. It wasnt unitl the 1800s that Christianity took it over. So…….get over the whole “taking Christ out of Christmas”. It was never “Christ’s Tree”. Some people are so sensitive and then completly forget that other people have other religions. Its a free country.
Where are the menorah’s for Hannukah? I could care less about Christmas.
Davin-this season IS about Christ. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. CHRIST is the reason for the season. I’m truly sorry they you don’t realize that. Christians are so upset because Christs birth has turned into a materialistic matter instead of the spiritual celebration that it is.
Why in the world would anyone change the name of the Christmas season or a Christmas tree? I think Simon Mall is trying to change the traditional holiday itself by changing it to the “Great Tree”. I have great trees in my yard but they are not Christmas Trees. It’s been Christmas and Christmas tree for centuries why do they want to mess up something that brings so much joy to so many people regardless of beliefs. Come on people, quit trying to mess up Christmas. If you don’t want to Celebrate Christmas, don’t. Next someone will change Thanksgiving to Food Day! Or Halloween to Candy Day! Or Valentines to Give me flowers and candy day! Dissapointing!
This is what is wrong with the people this days a bunch of haters that expect everyone else to follow their religion by implementing hate into nice good things.. if you are a tru christian good for you, but dont judge the mall personal decision about the name of the tree make it easy on yourself and dont go. no one care about your religion nor your opinion on a corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars by enterteining thousands of good christians like me. enjoy life and quit hating on the things that make you happy.
you know it does…
and remember shall not hate… you good christian
Anonymous is right, the origins of the christmas tree are not rooted in christianity. This is just a sample of where the christmas tree began it’s journey:
Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.
Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.
Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ’s birth.
The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio.
So, for those of you who are insulted – you have no right to be. The chistmas tree has nothing to do with your christian religion. I suggest educating yourself by reading books other than the bible. You may actually learn something. Try to enjoy the holiday’s without getting offended over, what should be, inconsequential and diminutive dialogue if you’re truly comfortable with your christian beliefs.
HAPPY HOLIDAY’S!!!
As a Christian myself, I find it quite funny how offended some people get because some says Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas or saying “tree” instead of “Christmas tree”. (btw, Holiday mean “Holy Day” so stop getting your panties in a wad over that one) No one can change what Christmas means to you without your permission. Why are you letting that determine where you buy gifts anyways? Isn’t Christmas about Jesus? Or is it really about buying gifts after all?
Christmas is about celebrating to birth of Christ.
This is what is wrong in our world today…not many beleivers left
We should beleive are we will not make it to Heaven.
To make this Holy day about trees or presents or about ourselves is wrong.
And then to attack people for what they beleive !
Hey town center employee!
I think you need to re-think your comment. Christmas is only about money to you?
And to have the nerve to say “for c_____ sake”. you need to ask God for forgiveness.
shame on you.
shame on you.
christmas says:
“Christmas is about celebrating to birth of Christ.
This is what is wrong in our world today…not many beleivers left
We should beleive are we will not make it to Heaven.
To make this Holy day about trees or presents or about ourselves is wrong.
And then to attack people for what they beleive !”
First, the attack started with “christians” staking claim to something they don’t “own the rights to”, a TREE. Get over yourself!!! Don’t assume everybody in this country believes in what you believe in. I may choose to believe in unicorns or leprechauns, which I don’t, but I would never expect other people to, just because I do.
And secondly, I hate to be a grammar snob, but it’s “believe or” not “beleive are.” Double negatives, dangling participles, misspellings, etc. are pet peeves of mine. Just saying…!
WinterWonderLand
your first comment was so long and boring. What a windbag
you must also like to hear yourself talk
you are the snob and we will all learn the truth when we die.
I Believe
“Long and boring” is your opinion, I call it history. You probably don’t read those types of books. As for a “windbag”, I’m actually a very reserved person. BTW, name calling is very “christian like.” I’m sure you’re a real pleasure to be around, not to mention, well-read.