Last night I went to the Carson City “Silver and Snowflake” Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol. There was quite a big crowd of people, filling up the lawn in front of the Capitol Building to watch the governor flip the switch and turn on the official state Christmas trees. Yes, there are two trees, because the big one is due to be retired one of these years.

Choir on the Capitol steps

The “new” state tree.

The festivities included music by the 5th grade choir, appearances by Miss Nevada, Governor Jim, Mayor Marv, and of course Santa Claus arriving in his Model T. His chauffeur for the evening was Beauregard the golden retriever.

Santa’s Model T

Santa

Beauregard

Santa makes his getaway

After the ceremony at the Capitol, about 20% of the crowd headed over to the First Presbyterian Church for the lighting of the city Christmas tree. Mayor Marv made a few more remarks here, then lit the tree.

Mayor Marv

The city tree

And then, after that, what little entourage was left made its way down to the Nugget’s West Parking Lot, which for the holidays has been rechristened Arlington Square. There the city’s new ice rink held its opening night, and quite a crowd turned out to skate under the watchful eye of Cactus Jack’s Senator. The Nevada Appeal has a story on the opening of the ice rink.

Arlington Square, former site of the Arlington Hotel.

The brand new ice rink

Skaters

In all it was a fun, if cold, night, and it really marks the start of the holiday season as now all of downtown is lit up. Here are few more pictures from around town last night.

The Capitol with the old tree on the right. This tree was planted by George W. G. Ferris, Sr in 1876, and in 1937 designated the state tree.

Frosty stands guard

Willow Bill‘s Reindeer

The base of the state tree, with the Capitol in the background.

City Hall gets in on the act.

Free buggy rides

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