Tree Lighting Event

Carson City Fifth Graders Set to Sing at Tree Lighting Event
Posted on 11/29/2021
This is the image for the news article titled Carson City Fifth Graders Set to Sing at Tree Lighting Event

Fifth graders from all six public elementary schools as well as Carson Montessori, Bethlehem Lutheran and Saint Teresa’s will perform as a unified holiday choir for the annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights on the Capitol steps in downtown Carson City Friday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Music teachers from the various schools have been teaching and practicing the musical arrangements since early November. More than 300 students from the combined nine schools, including six Carson City School District elementary schools (Bordewich-Bray, Empire, Fremont, Fritsch, Mark Twain and Seeliger), will participate.

Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. followed by fifth graders signing with Santa and the Grinch. At 6:15 p.m., the Governor, First Lady, Mayor Lori Bagwell and her husband Jim Bagwell will light the Nevada State Capitol Grounds and downtown Carson City.

"Fritsch students look forward to Tree Lighting every year,” said Fritsch Elementary School Music Teacher Nicole Witkowski. “It's a tradition that their siblings and friends have been a part of in previous years, which builds their excitement even more. It's great to see these students share this experience with each other. Above all else, it teaches these students the value of community and giving back to our town."

Carson City fifth graders have been the center attention of the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights since 1988. An estimated 2,000 attendees help kick off the holidays annually at the event. The program this year will feature fewer choir students due to COVID-19 protocols. Event planners have made the necessary accommodations to keep everyone safe.

"The annual tree lighting event is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Christina Bourne, music educator at Mark Twain Elementary School. “At Mark Twain, the students buzz with excitement as we rehearse each song. We appreciate everyone involved in keeping this Carson City tradition alive, and we look forward to singing for our community this year!"

Due to the pandemic, the event last year was offered in a virtual format. To view last year’s program, please click here. The program began with interviews with various music teachers followed by the fifth-grade holiday choir.

Photo Caption:

Fifth graders from the 2019 Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights gather early to rehearse holiday songs at the Nevada State Capitol.