HOLMES BEACH – The city’s Christmas tree was lit shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, and stands tall outside the Hancock Whitney Bank building at 5324 Gulf Drive.
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree lighting ceremony was staged in the parking lot shared by the Chamber, Beach House Real Estate and Acqua Aveda salon and spa.
The ceremony was paired with the Holiday Open House that took place simultaneously across the street in the Island Shopping Center, where participating businesses shared holiday treats while folks shopped and enjoyed local restaurants.
Before the Christmas tree lighting, the CrossPointe Fellowship Band and singers performed Christmas songs, with Pastor Ed Ross doing a stellar job on the drums.
Ceremony attendees enjoyed free wine, cookies and holiday treats shared by Beach House Real Estate, Hancock Whitney Bank and Chamber representatives.
Santa Claus (Anna Maria Island Real Estate Corporation owner/broker Bill Romberger) was on hand for the ceremony, as were Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Police Chief Bill Tokajer, accompanied by their spouses.
Chamber President Terri Kinder said the evening’s festivities were part of the Chamber’s efforts to celebrate the holidays while promoting some of Holmes Beach’s local businesses. Last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the damage inflicted citywide and Island-wide by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Before the tree was lit, Mayor Titsworth said, “I’m so excited for the community. It’s great that we can have our tree lighting this year. Our community needs these holiday events.”
Saturday’s tree lighting ceremony followed the city’s 75th Anniversary celebration held at nearby City Field the night before.
“The anniversary celebration was incredible. People are so happy and thankful that we can celebrate together as a community. We’ve been through a lot and there are still some people who aren’t back in their homes yet, but the majority of our residents are back and able to enjoy the holidays in their homes. This is a resilient community and it’s time to get together and celebrate,” Titsworth said.
Holiday open house
Over at the Island Shopping Center, the Sun and Surf beach shop’s beloved parrots greeted shoppers and passersby while Stephanie Smith passed out holiday treats.
New Hampshire residents Marie and Dave Sullivan and Michigan residents Michelle and Rick Perry browsed the wide variety of offerings inside the Salty Beaches Boutique while chatting with owners Angela and Gary Albrecht. The boutique’s display window features four beautiful Christmas trees, each a different color.
At The Feast restaurant, diners sat in the recently expanded outdoor dining area and enjoyed a perfect December evening during their dinner.
At AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co., owner Janalee Gallagher and employees Alex Hritz and Cate Loomis greeted customers inside the store while offering free dog treats at the table set up on the sidewalk outside.
Next door, Small Town Creamery served homemade ice cream and a wide variety of other frozen treats and food offerings. Inside D Coy Ducks, bartender and Island resident Kat Fetzer served up cold beers and other libations to those who ducked inside during the holiday event.
The Chamber’s Pearl Linn, Hancock Whitney Bank’s Patricia Shahinian and the Chamber’s Cheryl Kolb passed out complimentary glasses of wine. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
