Lighting up the weekend

It may not be the North Pole, but on Saturday, Nov. 29, the next best thing will be Otay Ranch Town Center which will be pulling out all the stops for its eighth annual tree lighting and Santa parade starting at 6 p.m.

The Santa parade will begin near REI and come down Main Street ending near The Cheesecake Factory.

This year the holiday event is being headlined by Katriz Trinidad, a sophomore at Otay Ranch High School and contestant from season seven of “The Voice,” who will kick off the holiday season at the mall.

“Katriz will entertain guests with a special song at the tree lighting,” said Tina Medina, ORTC’s marketing manager.

People of all ages are entertained by the Otay Ranch community parade which draws local community groups, marching bands and, of course, Santa. They all will advance down Main Street bringing lots of holiday cheer.

The Santa parade, emceed by local radio personalities Xavier the X-man and Sherry Knight, is the only holiday parade in eastern Chula Vista and is highly anticipated.

“The tree lighting and Santa parade is a wonderful event we started eight years ago to welcome Santa and the holiday season,” said Janet Henderson, ORTC general manager. “The design of Otay Ranch Town Center with its Main Street down the center of the mall makes this a perfect venue for a traditional holiday parade.”

The tree lighting will begin at the 30-foot tree located near The Cheesecake Factory and Barnes & Noble and will feature local dignitaries as well as special guest Katriz.