Fall River's 24^th Annual Christmas Parade ended on December 6, 2008, ended with a tree lighting ceremony and visit with Santa for several hundred Fall River children and their parents in the newly-completed lobby at Government Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived via carriage from CD-REC where they had been visiting with children all afternoon to hear their wishes for Christmas. They arrived at the new plaza on the west side of Government Center where over a hundred parents and children were awaiting their arrival. Mayor Correia escorted them to the balcony overlooking the plaza where they greeted the crowd. Members of the Durfee High School chorus were on hand to offer a number of traditional carols accompanied by members of the school band. Fall River Police electrician Al Marques and Jason Desmarais readied the switch, and, at the appointed time, ten-year-old Shawn Gerling flipped the switch, lighting the tree atop the balcony. Everyone was then invited into the lobby to listen to the Durfee chorus and band, drink hot chocolate and receive gifts from Santa. For more information, contact Director of Communications Inês Leite at 508-324-2600. Click here to see Arts & The Holidays and here to see the Heritage Holiday House.
 

 (Top row, left) The crowd gathers in the new-completed plaza on the west side of Government Center to await Santa's arrival. (Top row, center and right) Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by carriage and are escorted by Mayor Correia to the second-floor balcony overlooking the plaza. (Middle row, left) The B.M.C. Durfee High School band and chorus get ready to play and sign some favorite Christmas music for the assembled crowd. (Middle row, center) Fall River Police electrician Al Marques talks with Santa as Jason Desmarais checks to make sure the switch is working properly. (Middle row, right) Calayah and Tamea Lewis play with their light sticks as they await the moment that the tree is lighted. (Bottom row, left and center) After brief remarks by the mayor, ten-year-old Shawn Gerling flips the switch and the tree is lit! (Bottom row, right) The crowd comes into the second floor lobby to enjoy hot chocolate, music by the ban and chorus and a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.