Salemites gathered Friday night to find some light in the darkness of winter with a holiday celebration at Riverfront Park.
Kids and kids at heart visited with Santa. Some runners braved the dark to participate in the Twilight Run, and there was popcorn, fake snow and carriage rides to enjoy.
The city’s tree lighting event marked the start of the light display. Lights will be on in the park at night through the end of December.
A young man enjoys the holiday lights at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The entryway into the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Kids getting into the holiday spirit at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Donald Price and Frankie the horse working hard at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An incredibly happy visit with Santa at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Let it snow at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Runners at the finish line of the Twilight Run the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Friends enjoy the wreath display at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Attendees pick out free bags of popcorn at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Letter writing to Santa was serious business for some at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The Tunnel of Lights is a perennial favorite at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Two friends share pictures at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Eating cookies took priority over letter writing for this youngster at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Santa leans in to hear details at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A family gets ready to enjoy a carriage ride at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Children enjoy the lights at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Officer Lawrence and Officer Seltzer were enjoying the holiday ambiance at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Grayson, 18 months, enjoys being at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Griffin, 1, admires a lighted bear at his first Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Eleanor and George Bischel enjoy the lighted reindeer in lieu of real ones at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Seconds after the lighting of the Salem Holiday Tree at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Diana Patino proves that adults believe in Santa too at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A family takes self-portrait with a light curtain backdrop at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Everyone could wish upon a star at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (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.
