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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 27, 2005 A large and vocal crowd turned out Saturday night to ring in the holiday season at the Winter Light Festival at Vogel Plaza in Medford. Despite chilly temperatures, the festivities brightened the sky with the holiday tree and other displays. Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman WARM IN SPIRIT Medford lights up a chilly night with holiday trimmings at downtown festival By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune A caffeinated army of holiday revelers descended on Vogel Plaza Saturday evening to celebrate Medford’s 15th annual Winter Light Festival. Coffee, hot chocolate and cider flowed freely as young and old alike waited for the lighting of the 25-foot tree that towered over the plaza. Holiday tunes by the North Medford High School Brass Quintet and the South Medford High School Ensemble Choir cut through the chilly air, giving the kids something to dance to while the grown-ups captured the moment on digital cameras and cell phones. St. Mary’s High School student Meghan Muriset — deftly overcoming an early microphone glitch — crooned a few solos, including a feisty version of "Jingle Bell Rock." When asked if she was nervous singing in front of more than 1,000 people, Muriset shrugged. Advertisement "I’ve been singing since I was eight," she said. Police blocked off Main Street and Central Avenue to allow the crowd to take over most of downtown. Pacific Power provided the guilt-free seasonal lighting through its Blue Sky program, which uses renewable energy to power all of Medford’s Christmas lights this year. Blue Sky outreach coordinator Becki Meadows distributed information — and chocolate bars — to anyone curious about renewable Christmas energy. "We donated the power to build awareness about the program for people," Meadows said. The night’s second-biggest draw — behind Santa, of course — was the coffee and hot chocolate table set up by the Vogel Plaza Cafe. Five works poured an ocean of steaming beverages for a line of people that at times stretched all the way to Central Avenue. Five-gallon containers of coffee were emptied in minutes. "We’ve filled them so many times I lost count," said Lindy Pierson, a Vogel Plaza Cafe employee. The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus aboard a Medford Fire Department engine whipped a hoard of toddlers into a holiday frenzy. The Clauses set up under the Tuxedo Junction’s awning. They posed for hundreds of pictures and doled out countless candy canes. Mayor Gary Wheeler made some attempts at comedy prior to the countdown, which had to be coordinated to run live on local television stations. "If I could sing, I’d do it," Wheeler told the gathering. "But it would probably send the crowd out of the plaza." Finally, it was countdown time. Wheeler did the honors along with the Plane family of Medford, who donated the Christmas tree. Cheers and applause greeted the newly lighted tree. The Planes planted the tree in their yard 15 years ago and adorned it with lights and bulbs every Christmas season. Eventually, the tree grew so large that it became a risky proposition to decorate. "I’ve fallen off of ladders and gotten electrical shocks," John Plane said. "I’m glad they’re doing it this year." Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4459, or e-mail WARM in SPIRIT ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s