Photo: Jena Ardell / Moment / Getty Images
The Youth Art Contest is making a comeback at Syracuse's annual tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for Friday, November 28, in Clinton Square. Five winners from the contest will have the honor of helping Mayor Ben Walsh light the tree. The contest invites children aged four to eighteen to submit freehand drawings depicting the theme "A Perfect Snow Day in Syracuse." Parents are encouraged to photograph their child's artwork and email it to ParksYouthRecreation@syr.gov.
The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature performances by local artists, including indie/pop rock musician Sydney Irving and the rhythm and blues band Trump Tight 315. The tree lighting is set to occur at 7 p.m., with Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens overseeing the ceremony. This year, Mayor Walsh will not attend due to a family commitment.
The annual event, a cherished Syracuse tradition, will also include ice skating at the Clinton Square rink, open until 9:30 p.m. An accessible viewing area will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, a special mailbox for letters to the North Pole will be placed near the tree, allowing children to drop off their holiday wishes.
Street parking will be free, but some streets around the square will close from the afternoon until 8 p.m. According to Syracuse.com, this year's event will continue to foster community spirit during the holiday season.