Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year, a tradition that has been a part of the community since the late 1960s. The event took place on the night of Dec. 4 in Downtown Willoughby. City Economic Development Director Tom Thielman said the lighting ceremony’s longev ity is a true testament to Willoughby’s community spirit and the city’s continued commitment to family-centered events. “The ceremony has grown significantly over the years,” Thielman said. “While attendance always depends somewhat on the weather, we typically welcome more than 3,000 people to the event itself — hundreds more who visit the historic downtown throughout the evening. “Every restaurant, shop and local business fills with families and friends who make this night an annual tradition.” Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year. (Marah Morrison -- The News-Herald)Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year. (Marah Morrison -- The News-Herald)Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year. (Marah Morrison -- The News-Herald)Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year. (Marah Morrison -- The News-Herald)Show Caption1 of 4Willoughby celebrated its 56th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony this year. (Marah Morrison -- The News-Herald)Expand Since Mayor Robert Fiala took office, the event has continued to grow in scale and quality. For the 50th anniversary, a fireworks display was added and in recent years, the city has upgraded their staging, lighting, decorations and sound. Additionally, the production becomes more polished and professional each year. “The Holiday Lighting Ceremony is one of my favorite events of the year,” Fiala said. “It’s a wonderful community gathering that reflects the true spirit of the season. From the outstanding performances by our local school groups to the generosity of our community organizations and the beautiful decorations created by the city, and our businesses, this celebration shows how special Willoughby is. I’m proud of this community in so many ways and I am honored to serve as its mayor.” This year, the ceremony featured several local school groups, as well as a headline performance by the Burning River Band. “Our team at City Hall is always refining and enhancing the event, working to make it better for our residents and visitors year after year,” Thielman said. The lighting ceremony attracts visitors from across Lake County and beyond as people are drawn to the combination of classic holiday entertainment set against the backdrop of Willoughby’s quintessential historic downtown, Thielman said. “Santa Claus makes a visit too,” he said. “Many describe Willoughby as a ‘Hallmark town’ and we like to think that if you’re looking to create a Hallmark-worthy holiday memory, Downtown Willoughby is definitely the place to be.” The long-term goal of the ceremony is to honor its traditions while continuing to evolve in ways that strengthen community pride, support local businesses and create unforgettable holiday experiences for generations to come, Thielman said. ...read more read less