STURGIS, S.D. – The City of Sturgis opened up the holiday season downtown with the annual lighting of the city Christmas Tree Thursday night.
The event is held at Rally Point, where hot chocolate and other goodies awaited a large crowd on hand for this year’s event.
Mayor Mark Carstensen, who usually presides over the ceremony, was out with an illness. Council President Beka Zerbst filled in and recited the holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ for children who had gathered on stage.
Once Zerbst finished the story, the city Christmas Tree was turned on and Santa Claus arrived on stage to meet with kids from the Sturgis area.
On Friday night, the annual Parade of Lights will be held. The parade begins on Ball Park Road, and will travel to Junction, where it will go down Junction and on to Main Street. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m.
KBHB Radio will broadcast the parade live as well as live stream it on the KBHB Facebook Page.
