RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – With a blizzard of snow and a countdown from 10, Rancho Cordovans lit the 23^rd Annual Cordova Community Christmas Tree in Village Green Park, kicking off the holiday season Sunday.

Hayrides, miniature train rides, Santa Claus, dozens of exhibitors, food trucks and 5,000 visitors made it a party.  And at the appointed hour, Rancho Cordovan of the Year Bob McGarvey pushed the big red button that not only brought the 35-foot-tall Christmas Tree to life, but kicked off a fireworks display, to boot.

“There is nothing quite like kicking off the holiday season with thousands of your neighbors,” said Shelly Blanchard, Executive Director of the Cordova Community Council, which produces the event.  “It’s a great time to check in with friends and get the season off to a great start.”

Visitors sipped on hot chocolate and munched on treats served up by a line of food trucks.  “Encore Christmas,” an acapella quartet, dressed in Dickens costuming, roamed the park and stage to sing holiday standards while youngsters consulted with Santa.  Every half hour, the sky filled with snow, delivering on the promise of wintery holiday magic.

“If you’re going to welcome in the season, do it in style,” said Blanchard, who marked her 23^rd consecutive Rancho Cordova holiday kick-off.  “What started out with 50 people and a dream has grown and grown.  Today, it’s a part of our community heartbeat.”

The tree will be lit each night at dusk and remains on until midnight for visitors to stop by and snap family photos.  The tree will go dark on Jan. 1.