Every American knows that post-Thanksgiving sensation; you’re full of food and ready for the holidays. The day after Thanksgiving for my family always meant the annual tree lighting festival at Westlake Center. Every year, in the heart of downtown Seattle, families and friends gather to hear caroling and watch the brilliant Macy’s star light up with the Westlake Christmas tree.
While downtown is bustling with new holiday cheer, shoppers are busting their way through each store to get their Black Friday deals. Carolers stand in front of busy entrances and the famous Salvation Army bell ringer is filling his bucket with donations.
The trash cans are overflowing with Christmas-themed coffee cups, and you realize it’s probably the first time you are happy to see an overflowing trash can. You peer into Nordstrom’s Santa’s corner to get a glimpse of the glowing children waiting to whisper their wish list to the jolly man in red. Local vendors sell pies, and you really don’t mind the huge crowd because everyone seems to be relaxed despite the obvious chaos.
My family’s tradition is to go to Elephant & Castle, a cozy underground pub with great fish and chips and hearty beer that compensates for the cold, brisk walk to downtown. We order the usual, and leave with enough time to find a perfect spot to view the lighting.
Sitting atop parent’s shoulders, kids gaze at the starry sky. The crowd joins in on the caroling, and people wait for the brilliant star to glitter alight. Five, four, three, two, one and the fireworks show all of Seattle that the greatest season of the year has officially begun. Looming above us, a 25-foot tree now sparkles with lights and everyone takes a minute to revel. The carousel across the street spins and glistens, and cold gazers ready themselves for a warm dinner with excellent company–it’s a perfect Friday night in Seattle.
