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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Thunderstorm wreaks havoc across Rogue Valley ... Medford attempted-murder trial hinges on IDs and DNA ... Inn at the Commons faces 'killer' parking crunch ... Thunderstorm wreaks havoc across Rogue Valley ... Medford attempted-murder trial hinges on IDs and DNA ... Inn at the Commons faces 'killer' parking crunch ... MEDFORD Winter Lights Festival draws hundreds despite competition Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 29, 2014 at 8:27 PM Updated Nov 29, 2014 at 8:28 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 29, 2014 at 8:27 PM Updated Nov 29, 2014 at 8:28 PM » Social News Rich Rosenthal said he would have been surprised if few people turned out for the Winter Lights Festival Saturday. "I didn't have high expectations for this year, partly because of the iffy weather, and also the fact that the Civil War football game was scheduled for 5 p.m.," the Medford Parks and Recreation superintendent said, watching families gather on The Commons Saturday evening. The previous night's Festival of Light in Ashland had also been threatened by sporadic rain that drenched the valley for most of the day, and the annual gridiron face-off between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University was expected to keep thousands glued to TV screens across the state. But by 4:30 p.m., over 100 children and their families had descended on Pear Blossom Park, now home to a bouncy castle, a giant Christmas tree and an increasingly busy stage pumping out Christmas carols. Dozens of children scurried across the field, trying to grab as many carefully placed candy canes as they could. Street Side Grill and Bandon's Best Kettle Corn were among the vendors on hand to energize the eager masses, and even Santa stopped by for a visit and photos. "Parks and Recreation has been (running the event) for five or six years," Rosenthal said. The tree-lighting event had historically been held at Vogel Plaza downtown until it was moved to Pear Blossom Park following the completion of The Commons. Pear Blossom, the second of two parks completed adjacent to the Lithia Motors Building last year, was officially opened with the 2013 festival. "This is our second year here," Rosenthal said. By the time the giant spruce tree at the north end of the park was finally lit, several hundred had gathered on the lawn to watch the city usher in the holiday season — with a little help from Santa, of course. "We just wanted to do the best we can for whoever shows up," Rosenthal said. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 29, 2014 at 8:27 PM Updated Nov 29, 2014 at 8:28 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501