Yountville’s spirit sparkles: Town and Tree Lighting unites the community for a joyful night of tradition
The holidays were unwrapped on Sunday evening when more than 1,000 people of all ages gathered to celebrate the season for the ninth annual Yountville Town and Tree lighting.
While the lighting of the town itself has been an event for decades, Yountville Mayor Margie Mohler declared, “Yountville shines a little brighter” after the joint lighting celebration. “As our Christmas lights glow and neighbors gather around the town tree, we celebrate not only the beauty of the season but the spirit of community that makes Yountville so special.”
Late in the afternoon, the gymnasium at the Yountville Community Center was packed with children and families. Little hands participated in holiday craft and activity stations that included paper garlands, gingerbread-style box decorating, coloring and an I-Spy game, a professional caricature artist and an extremely popular letters to Santa table, complete with a mailbox destined for the North Pole.
Throughout the large room, dozens of “elves” were on hand to assist the children. Yountville Parks and Recreation Department Director Samantha Holland, who organized the event with her team, said that the helpers were both Camp Yville staffers as well as the Yountville Leaders in Training program volunteers.
Just before 6 p.m. the crowd moved outside to the Community Center Plaza to gather around the town Christmas tree and stage. Mayor Mohler welcomed U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and Napa County Supervisor District 3 Anne Cottrell, and all three served as hosts of the evening program, with the Yountville town council members nearby.
“It’s great to back with you again this year for a fantastic community event,” Thompson said, “Everybody please have a great holiday, have a merry Christmas, be kind.”
Thompson went on to lead the crowd in a call and repeat, advising that the answer would be “local.”
“Where are you going to shop?” he asked, and the attendees responded “local!”
Cottrell said, “This is the season of gratefulness,” thanking the town of Yountville for doing so much to build community with both local businesses and residents.
Other highlights of the evening included the Napa High School Vocal Music Workshop, an ensemble of 15 singers that took the stage twice, performing a capella holiday tunes, and the new California Dreaming Express motorized train, which took passengers on a ride that wove around a closed-off section of Yount Street.
When the hosts returned to the stage to light the town, they mentioned that someone vital to the lighting of the tree was missing. Soon, Cal Fire Engine 12 arrived with lights flashing, and none other than Santa himself riding atop the truck.
“The joy on children’s faces as Santa arrived on our Station 12 firetruck reminds us of the magic of tradition and the importance of coming together,” Mohler said. “This year’s celebration is about light, hope, and unity, values that carry us through the holidays and into the new year.”
It took a bit of time for Santa, who was received like a rock star, to make his way through the crowd to the stage to join Mohler, Thompson and Cottrell, high-fiving children along the way. The four dignitaries of the evening then led the crowd in a count-down from 10, and the tree and lights throughout town turned on as everyone yelled, “one!”
“The town and tree lighting event perfectly encapsulates the town’s sense of community and the smalltown charm that is so special to everyone who calls Yountville home,” said Natalie Leighton, Yountville Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, “The amount of wonder the event provided to the children in attendance was so special.”
“The magic of the tree lighting is visible in all the children’s eyes, they glow just as brightly as the lights in the town,” said Yountville Vice Mayor Robin McKee-Cant, “From the minute to high school group comes out to sing, the children gather and look up to each student with admiration, and maybe even hopes that one day they’ll be on the stage, to the engagement with the dignitaries asking questions about why Santa might be delayed, to the actual arrival of Santa on a hook and ladder firetruck, no less!”
McKee-Cant said that it is particularly glorious to witness the event through the lens of a child. “This one special evening encapsulates the beauty of our small town where we can gather safely and celebrate the coming of the holiday season.
“High praise goes out to our town staff who works so hard to put the entire afternoon and evening production together,” she said.
Dave Ruane, who directs the Napa High School Vocal Music Workshop, said that his group was honored to return to the tree lighting this year.
“We are hoping that this will be a standing tradition for Vocal Music Workshop. Because the ceremony is so early in the season, we start learning our holiday songs in mid-October. The students loved seeing all the small children attending the event who were rocking out in front of the stage.”
Yountville Town Council Member Hillery Trippe added, “So many smiles and truly happy little faces on the kids. I went with my friends Sandy Fagan and Violet Hover. Whole thing made me really grateful to be in Yountville and Napa Valley. As a relative newcomer, I am always impressed by the welcoming people in the valley.”
Trippe also encouraged visitors to come to Yountville to enjoy a true small town Christmas, “Residents in Yountville really do welcome visitors with smiles, beautiful lights, great food, a festive atmosphere and even a wet kiss from one of our hospitality hounds. I actually think that Yountville residents are unique in their appreciation and welcoming of visitors, whether they came five miles or 5,000 miles to get here.”
“Lighting the town and tree in preparation for the start of the holiday season for me really highlights how truly special Yountville is,” Holland said, “The one-mile trip up Washington all lit up is truly magical. The event brings together residents and visitors to share in the joy of the season. The holidays remind us of how powerful kindness can be. Keeping that spirit alive after all of the lights turn off is key though, and I think Yountville truly shines in that way.”
Yountville’s Mayor Mohler concluded, “Yountville is truly the brightest town in Napa Valley during the holidays. With thousands of twinkling lights and festive events for all ages, our community offers something magical for everyone. Here, small-town warmth blends seamlessly with world-class hospitality, creating the perfect setting to share joy with friends, family, and visitors. Yountville is where lasting holiday memories are made.”
