The weather outside was frightful, but Park Cities residents had some delightful fun during University Park’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Snider Plaza.
The Nov. 30 event featured a snow slide, ice skating, photos with Santa, and entertainment from young ballet dancers, musicians, and singers.
Though temperatures were the chilliest in years, residents had plenty of options for warming up, including multiple varieties of hot chocolate with marshmallows and sprinkles, and tasty bites from Snider Plaza favorite Half Shells.
Missing from this year’s festivities was the large, centerpiece tree that has stood over Snider Plaza’s fountain in the past. Instead, the city placed four 12-foot-tall blue spruce trees at each corner of the fountain. The trees were cut in Michigan and driven to Dallas before the event.
University Park made the change due to the size of the new fountain, along with the need to maintain clear sidewalks, ADA ramps, and parking access. Installing a large centerpiece tree would have meant significant street or parking closures, explained community information officer Paige Ruedy.
She said that the city will evaluate the new format and decide how to proceed with next year’s lighting in the coming months.
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