Sonoma Plaza Lighting A Dazzling Start To City's Holiday Season

SONOMA, CA — Love filled the square and so did the holiday spirit Saturday evening during the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau sixth annual Lighting of Historic Sonoma Plaza. Hundreds of residents and visitors ventured downtown in anticipation of the event. When the time came they gazed in awe as 250,000 twinkling lights were switched on, illuminating Sonoma City Hall and surrounding holiday displays — marking the start of the 2018 holiday season.

Many in the crowd came prepared, wearing face masks to keep themselves safe from smoke-filled, unhealthy air that has been hovering over the Bay Area from the Camp Fire in Butte County. With twinkles in their eyes, they grinned under their masks as children danced to songs of the season performed by Transcendence Theatre Company.

Scents of warm treats wafted through the square from food trucks brought in for the occasion.

A humongous, bright red "Love" sign changed colors as nighttime fell and was a popular spot for taking photos with friends and family.

A towering palm tree that in true California style serves as the city's Christmas tree was lit up Saturday night for the first time this season.

Photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com