by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree thank you for lighting up Loveland so beautifully! 

The community gathered around one another on Saturday night as the City of Loveland celebrated its first Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The festive fun-filled night kicked off at 4 PM with local holiday gift vendors that sold everything from Hot Chocolate Bombs to homemade mitten ornaments from J Timmerman Pottery to jewelry made from silverware from Silverware to Wearable Art. Alley Boutique, Blume, and Haven Grey also participated in the festivities allowing the community to shop in their festively decorated stores until 7 PM.

The beautifully illuminated Browns Crossing along the Loveland Bike trail featured local food trucks Travelin Tom’s Coffee and Hot Chocolate and Smokin Inferno BBQ, as well as Christmas activities for the kids, a vintage holiday photoshoot with Old School Pix and the infamous Dancing Elves, Toys For Tots Stuff a Cruiser Toy Drive hosted by the Loveland Citizens Police Academy Alumni, and Trailside Provisions Christmas Cupcakes, Brownies, Caramel Apples, and several holiday gourmet popcorn combinations. The Loveland Girl Scouts also came out for Loveland’s special night as they entertained crowds of friends and families with Christmas carols! 

As the night grew dark and the Christmas lights shined bright, at around 7 PM Mayor Kathy Bailey lit the gigantic magical Loveland Christmas Tree, and shortly after Rozzi Fireworks put on a “merry” night-ending firework show.

I decided to bring some of my family along with me to the Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, including my 2 furbabies, Dean and Nala. Wow were we impressed with how flawless the night came together for the City of Loveland and the community! The endless amount of lights, Christmas decor, holiday activities, Christmas treats, and gift ideas from some very talented local vendors made the night that much more special.

The Loveland Christmas Tree was quite the spectacle once it was completely illuminated! Throughout the night I couldn’t help but revisit the Tree over and over again. As I stared up at the lights, and glistening candy canes I realized that Loveland truly had succeeded in becoming a Christmas Winter Wonderland! 

After walking through Browns Crossing bike trail light spectacle I decided to grab some homemade Christmas gifts from J Timmerman Pottery and Silverware to Wearable Art! Shortly after I of course had to visit Trailside Provisions to get my weekly popcorn fix. This time I chose a caramel popcorn drizzled in dark chocolate and I am not ashamed to say I ate the entire bag in just 2 days! Next, I decided to stop by Old School Pix’s holiday vintage photoshoot where they snapped photos of myself, Adam, and the Dancing Elves in a vintage truck all decked out in Christmas decor. After wandering around Loveland’s Winter Wonderland, the night ended perfectly with a firework show put on by Rozzi’s Fireworks!

For more photos and videos from Loveland’s best events stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!

Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland. She is the Co-Owner, Associate Editor, and Director of Marketing of Loveland Magazine. Contact her if you are interested in promoting your event or business in Loveland Magazine. Cassie also Emcee’s events so feel free to reach out if you are in need of an Emcee for your next event, fundraiser, or sports-related competition. Cassie was just selected by the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance as the Loveland Areas Young Professional of the Year.