Last Thursday, the annual Washington Park tree lighting ceremony showcased about 89 local small businesses, several performances and a food drive for charity had over 4,000 attendees.
Special events coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Brownsville Shannon Contreras planned and organized the event to bring people together and have one big celebration as a community
The tradition of hosting Christmas celebrations in Washington Park has gone on for over 100 years, according to Contreras.
“The Christmas holiday, it makes people want to give. It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling in your heart,” Contreras said.
To maintain the holiday spirit, the Parks and Recreation department opened a food drive for the less fortunate, which kicked off during the tree lighting ceremony.
“The food donated throughout the month of December gets donated back to [the] Southmost Choice Neighborhoods, which is the division of the housing authority. And so all the food collected goes back into our community for our citizens here in Brownsville,” Contreras said.
Mayra Arellano, a local resident who attended the event said she would not miss the annual event in the coming year.
“[It] looks like a lot of fun, for all ages, especially for the children,” Arellano said. “You look forward to these kinds of events.”
Activities for children included, photo ops, a movie in the park, Santa Claus visit, and games free of charge children could play with.
Earthly Clay small business owner Ashley Mascorro said the community was responding well to the event, and it has grown since the past year.
“I came last year to the lighting, and it was a little bit less people. More muted,” said Mascorro. “This year, it really seems like a lot of people are trying to come out and just support the community in a different way and really experience what Brownsville is.”
Small business owner, Ashley Mascorro showcasing her Earthly Clay products at the Washington Park Tree Lighting Ceremony, on Dec. 1.
Non-perishable food donations will be accepted throughout the month of December, ending on the 22nd. Drop off locations include Parks and Recreation facilities and the Brownsville Event Center.
