The tunnel of lights was exceedingly popular at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Salemites of all ages filled Riverfront Park to see the first night of holiday lights as part of a celebration Friday.
The city of Salem put on an extravaganza with Santa, reindeer, carriage rides and a handbell performance.
Lights will be on display in the park through the evening of Dec. 27.
The waiting to get into to see Santa was awfully hard for some at the City of Salem holiday event held at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Willamette Queen riverboat is all dressed up in her holiday best floating by on the Willamette River at the City of Salem Holiday event held at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Visitors enter a long tunnel of lights at the City of Salem holiday event held at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Ana Zilar and family were ready to enjoy themselves at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Santa hears about what is on the hot list from a child at the City of Salem holiday event held Friday, Dec. 2 at Riverfront Park. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Two event visitors peep into Santa’s shed at the City of Salem holiday event held at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Two reindeer from Timberview Farms at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. Fun fact: Santa’s reindeer were first mentioned in 1821 when New York printer William Gilley published a 16-page booklet titled A New Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve, Part III by an anonymous author. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Lines were long waiting for free horse and carriage rides at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Bellringer Jim Troisi of the Bells of the Cascades community handbell choir chimes in at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An appreciative audience enjoys the music provided by the Bells of the Cascades community handbell choir at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There were plenty of fun opportunities to get family holiday pictures at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Donald Price and his pal Frankie the horse worked hard most of the night to give people a free carriage ride at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There were plenty of fun opportunities to get family holiday pictures at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The tunnel of lights was exceedingly popular at the City of Salem holiday event at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Buddy the Elf was also making an appearance on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Buddy the Elf was not just popular with kids for pictures on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Holiday cheer was apparent on this motorcycle sidecar in downtown Salem on Friday, Dec. 2. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
