Celebration of Lights Draws Large Crowd to Ave Maria

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Published on Saturday, 01 December 2012 16:54

Several thousand peope thronged La Piazza Friday night for the annual Celebration of Lights, Ave Maria's most popular festival.

Drawn by activities such as an outdoor ice skating rink, a parade and numerous musical performances from local groups, people also enjoyed food from a dozen different restaurants and vendors, with town center restaurants reporting record receipts. Right, some required more support than others to take a spin on the outdoor skating rink, which used a sheet of synthetic material to simulate real ice.

 

 

The parade through La Piazza featured decorated golf carts, a marching drum corps and numerous local businesses and organizations.

 

The chamber music ensemble from Palmetto Ridge High School played was one of a number of groups from local schools and organizations who performed choral music, dance numbers, show tunes, jazz and classical music.

Helen Altomari, owner of the soon-to-open Scoopz ice cream parlor, served samples to long lines of people all evening.

 

 

 

There also was a long line throughout the evening to see Santa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A climbing wall operated by the Collier County Sheriff's Office and a simulated snowboarding experience were among other popular activities.