The Alamo Chamber of Commerce will present the 2009 Alamo Tree Lighting Festival at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6. The festival signals the beginning of the Christmas holiday season for families with an evening of caroling, entertainment, hot beverages and snacks. "Guests are urged to come early and stay late," said the organizers.

Students from local schools, elementary through High School will be performing along with several guest artists including local alum Brittanie Johnson from SRVHS who has performed at Disneyland and with several Honor Choirs. There will also be a special performance featuring Charlie Baggett, a young local new up and coming star with an amazing voice! In 2008, Charlie celebrated a debut performance with the acclaimed California Symphony as the guest vocal artist to a record crowd of over 2,000 people. A young man with a big heart, Charlie has performed for benefits such as Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation. He has been performing since the age of 6 as an cappella soloist, in multiple venues including the well-known Bay Area professional children’s choir Voices of Eve 'N Angels (VOENA.) With each performance Charlie expands his range and focus working with other vocal professionals. Charlie's style has been compared to the likes of Il Divo, Josh Groban and even a younger Pavarotti .

Santa this year will also be greeted by the Cal Berkeley Marching Band! Come hear them perform and bring Santa Claus in to see all of the kids! 

The YMCA will have a craft table for children, creating keepsake photo frames; the Alamo Women's Club will be serving up beverages and treats as will several local restaurants! All during the festivities, people will be manning over twenty tables handing out food and drink, along with tables dedicated to entertaining youngsters with craft activities. For holiday giving, collection barrels will be available to collect canned food for the Contra Costa Food Bank and the Alamo Women's Club is sponsoring the Family Helping Families Toy Drive benefiting local children in need. 

The festival is also sponsored by Alamo Chamber of Commerce with generous donations and sponsorships from Stone Valley Center, Alamo Oak Tree Plaza, Alamo Women's Club, Morgan Bonanno Paving & Grading, Waldron Health Insurance, and several other local merchants and benefactors. If you are interested in more information, please log on the Chamber web site - www.AlamoChamberofCommerce.com. 

During the event, one lane of Danville Boulevard will be closed between Stone Valley Road and Jackson Way. North and south bound traffic will be allowed along the open lane. We look forward to seeing everyone out to celebrate and to making this our best event yet! 

For additional information go to www.alamochamberofcommerce.com