Christmas Lights in Glenola Park

                      In 1996 the La Cañada Kiwanis Club was asked by the Glenola Park Steward, Margaret Pancratz, to decorate a large pine tree with Christmas lights.  Kiwanis agreed to support the project annually.  The City provided underground light outlets and a switch box for power.  Kiwanis purchased the original lights and miscellaneous electrical hardware to complete the installation.

                        The lights are installed near the end of November, with the lighting ceremony shortly thereafter.  Lights are removed the second week in January and stored by Kiwanis for the next year.  City officials, the Kiwanis Club members, Girl Scouts and local neighbors participate in the lighting ceremony with refreshments furnished by the Girl Scouts and a sing along of Christmas carols.  The ceremony is about 20-30 minutes in length.  The City provides the services of West Coast Arborist (WCA) to install the lights on the tree with their "cherry picker".

                        In 2000 the Jack Hastings Memorial Gazebo was added to the lighting ceremony.  Icicle lights were hung on the eves of the gazebo by Kiwanis.

                        In 2005 Margaret bowed out of the endeavor and Kiwanis and the Girl Scouts, with City support, agreed to continue the tradition.  New larger lights were bought and installed on the tree in 2005.

                    In 2011 the City provided new LED lights and Kiwanis installed bulbs in the custom length light strings.  There were about 1000 light bulbs installed.