The first ever Tree of Lights ceremony in Escalon was hosted by the City of Escalon and the Escalon Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Hospice of San Joaquin, to remember loved ones during the holidays.

A crowd gathered at the tree near the historic caboose in the city’s Main Street Park on Tuesday, Dec. 1 for the event. Opening music was provided by the Joyful Voice Choir of Community Singers directed by Joel Adams, with Kathy Vaz and Jennifer Giannini from the Hospice of San Joaquin Board of Directors welcoming the crowd. Pastor Troy Onsager of Escalon Presbyterian Church offered the invocation with special guests Tammy Alcantor from the city, Pat Brown from the chamber and John Ketcherside of PG&E also offering remarks. A special presentation was made to Analise Anaya, a sixth grade student from Shasta Elementary School, who drew the cover art for the Tree Lighting program.

Lighting of the tree was conducted by the family of Curtis Hawthorne, who had benefited from Hospice care. His wife Linda, daughter Brenna and her husband Carl flipped the oversized PG&E switch to light the tree.

Escalon was one of eight sites hosting a Tree of Lights this holiday season.