At the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting Festival

Mayor Mark Holland reacted to the lights coming on for the Christmas tree tonight at the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting Festival in front of City Hall at 701 N. 7th St. in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Mayor Mark Holland threw the switch to light the Christmas tree tonight at the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting Festival in front of City Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. Lamonte McIntyre, recently freed from prison after authorities determined he was innocent, was originally scheduled to throw the switch but could not be there because of a scheduling conflict, according to officials. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The crowd walked toward the Christmas tree in front of City Hall after the lights were turned on. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Sandra Olivas, the emcee for the event, introduced the mayor at the lighting ceremony. Seen in the background on the right is a new Marinovich Way street sign dedicated tonight, honoring former Mayor Carol Marinovich. It is on 7th Street. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
After the lighting ceremony, families took photos in front of the tree. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A large crowd watched entertainment before the lighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Mayor Mark Holland introduced some Unified Government commissioners attending the lighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Local dance studios entertained the crowd with holiday numbers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Local dance studios entertained the crowd with dance numbers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Local dance studios entertained the crowd with dance numbers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A large crowd watched entertainment before the lighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Visitors looked at holiday trees in the lobby of City Hall on Friday night. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Salvation Army served cocoa to those attending the mayor’s holiday lighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Concessions at the mayor’s holiday lighting ceremony Friday night. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Families posed for a photo in an old-fashioned sleigh at the mayor’s holiday lighting festival Friday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)