Sabella Ortiz, Angelique, and Alina Hernandez look up at the tunnel of lights at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Riverfront Park was transformed Friday night as hundreds of people waited in line for hot cocoa, danced to Christmas carols and lined up on the park’s splash pad, which had been transformed into Santa’s workshop.
The city of Salem began its annual lights display with a tree lighting celebration. The display will remain up until Dec. 31, bringing some joy to the long nights of winter.
Kids do their best to catch “snowflakes” outside of Santa’s shed at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Carter Sands and Rubi Woosely spend time choosing the perfect toy at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)People wait to enter the Roth’s hospitality tent at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Families getting a horse-drawn carriage ride at Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting is becoming a holiday tradition on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Families pick up scavenger hunt sheets at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting event on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Bella, Aria, Aaniyah, and Xavian Perez pick up cookies and candied popcorn inside the Roth’s hospitality tent at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Santa’s beard was quite attractive to Evian Lopez at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter). (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The whole Lopez family managed to squeeze in with Santa at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Keith Stahley, Salem city manager, and Mayor Chris Hoy take a moment before lighting the tree at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Mayor Chris Hoy greets the helpers that will assist in the tree lighting at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Frankie the carriage horse gets well-deserved love from the crowd at the at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Carla Buyes gives Lexie her pup cup treat from the coffee wagon at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Nick Corvus shows off his festive hat wear at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A vendor sells his wares at the Riverfront Park Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec 6, 2024. (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.
