Rain Doesn't Dampen Spirits At Lamorinda Tree Lightings

It rained on the Christmas parades in Lamorinda on Friday evening, but holiday revelers came out anyway.

Both Lafayette and Moraga put on their annual tree lighting ceremonies despite the rain that swept across the region.

Lafayette's "It's A Wonderful Life" holiday celebration kicked off at 4 p.m. in Plaza Park.

Santa rode in about 4:30 p.m. and the 15-foot tree in the center of the park was lit up at 5:30 p.m.

About 100 people mingled during the tree lighting. Some parents brought their children to visit Santa, who sat patiently in a covered booth.

Lauren Tyson was one of them. She and her husband brought their 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 1-year-old to the festivities.

Tyson, who is pregnant with her fourth child, said they don't live too far away from the park, so they thought they'd brave the weather.

"We figured our kids would like it, rain or shine," she said.

In Moraga, the holiday celebration began at 6:30 p.m. in Moraga Commons Park.

The tree lighting was supposed to happen at 7 p.m., but organizers set the lights ablaze 15 minutes early because heavier rain was starting to fall.

A crowd of more than 50 people hung around nonetheless. About 20 parents and children were in line to see Santa, who was sheltered by umbrellas held by two members of the Moraga Youth Involvement Committee, which helped organize the event.

At the end of the line was Michael Finocchio, his wife and their two young children. The Moraga family hasn't had time yet to put up their tree, so Finocchio said they thought they'd bring the kids out to see the 40-foot one in the park.

Near the front of the line stood a mother and daughter from Moraga, holding umbrellas and watching the children sit on Santa's lap.

They were supporting the younger woman's daughter, one of the two girls holding the umbrella over Santa's head.

The women said it rained on last year's tree lighting, but people still come out.