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Ruth Bolles made art live during the annual EHAG Art Show and Sale at McCall Park during Lights of Love.
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Local artists showed off their work during the EHAG Art Show and Sale.
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Mayor Rick Lott danced with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus during Lights of Love.
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Holiday ornaments and festive art was for sale at the annual EHAG Art Show and Sale.
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Charles Galvin of Galvin Leatherworks.
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Karen Hall with a reindeer she made for her business Krystal Kreations.
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Presents were placed under the tree in the center of McCall Park.
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Attendees stopped all night to snap photos by the large tree in the center of McCall Park.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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The Kids Worship Choir from FBC of Plant City performed for the crowd at the event.
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Many of the performers wore festive apparel for the concert.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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Mayor Rick Lott said he hoped the city's continued expansion of the holiday lights would lead to one day making Plant City the "most festive and best lit town in Florida."
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The Praise Team, Amplify and Kids Worship Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City performed throughout the event.
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Santa Claus flipped a switch at the end of the event to illuminate the downtown light displays.
For 20 years Plant City has come together to kick off the holiday season with the annual Lights of Love event at McCall Park.
Choirs from First Baptist Church of Plant City sing holiday songs and city officials reflect on the importance of the season. Hundreds gather in the park weaving in and out of the large Christmas light displays as they anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus who flip a switch to illuminate the thousands of Christmas lights throughout downtown.
“For me — and I think many others — this event kicks off the Christmas season,” Mayor Rick Lott said.
The event is always free and this year featured photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and the East Hillsborough Art Guild’s Art Show and Sale. Throughout the event Plant City Dolphins Pee Wee Cheerleaders sold Christmas bulb necklaces and headbands and many showed up in their festive apparel.
One of the snazziest dressers was inarguably Lott. He wore a red and green mistletoe suit jacket along with a red and green Christmas tie in honor of the event.
The lights for the tree were sold to local families and businesses in honor or in memory of loved ones. All of the proceeds from the evening went to the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, which uses the funds to go toward the services and programs offered by the hospital.
Karen Kerr, president of South Florida Baptist Hospital, said the event was a “hallmark moment” for Plant City. She said it was hard to find a similar event anywhere nearby and praised Plant City on coming together every year to pull it off.
After Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer officially wrapped up the countdown and lit the decorations everyone in attendance joined together for a rousing chorus of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
