From a smaller beginning thirteen years ago, the Snider Plaza Tree Lighting has become one of the signature events of the Rotary Club of Park Cities, attracting about 6,000 people last year. The community was entertained with music, food and beverages, while the kids could visit the Fun Zone or talk to Santa. Well, that was last year!

Obviously, an event of that size was not appropriate this year, but RCPC members and organizers, Jerry Washam and Tania Boughton were up to the challenge of adapting the event to be safe and socially distanced. While scaled down. It was still a success that attracted many in the community. This year, with fewer Angel Trees, the goal of the event was to collect toys for the Salvation Army. While the Salvation Army Band played Christmas carols, cars drove through Snider Plaza, dropped off toys and received a goody bag in return. RCPC members greeted them along the way and helped to gather the toys. As is tradition, right on schedule on the last Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving, the Snider Plaza Christmas tree was lit.

The event is a collaborative effort of the Rotary Club of Park Cities, the City of University Park, including the University Park Fire Department and the University Park Parks and Recreation Department, and the Snider Plaza Merchants Association. A special thank you goes to our sponsors, Methodist City Dallas Medical Center, ABC Bank, Brent Cooper State Farm, Bank of America, Advance ER, The Toy Store, and SyncLab Media. RCPC member Mark Neace, owner of SyncLab Media has put together a two-minute video of the event, which can be viewed on the RCPC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LDASLl0go&t=5s.