Santa Claus, who bears a striking resemblance to Vince Ferraro, shows up at the end of the entertainment preceding the 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association. The annual event marks the offical start of the season for the Greater Brandon area. The 2009 lighting celebration featured entertainment from area schools, dance studios, and community theater troupes. The night featured also the 16th time the Ambassadors Show Choir from Bloomingdale High School, under the direction of Beverly Sutherland, performed its unique interpretation of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Also entertaining were performers from Kim Hall's School of Dance; The Brandon Ballet, in residence at The Dance Center; the Spotlights show choir from Brandon Academy; Tampa Bay Family Theatre; and Music Showcase. The colorguard was presented by Boy Scouts Troop 110. Christmas tree lights again were provided by Cox Electric. Refreshments were donated by Tammy and Paul Holmberg, proprietors of the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A, and Sweet Tomatoes. The event was sponsored also by the Roundtable Charities of Greater Brandon, more commonly known as the Community Roundtable and previously known as the Presidents Roundtable. The group is an umbrealla organization for area charities and sponsors each year the Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade and the Public Affairs Dinner.

Santa Claus, who bears a striking resemblance to Vince Ferraro, shows up at the end of the entertainment preceding the 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association. The annual event marks the offical start of the season for the Greater Brandon area. The 2009 lighting celebration featured entertainment from area schools, dance studios, and community theater troupes. The night featured also the 16th time the Ambassadors Show Choir from Bloomingdale High School, under the direction of Beverly Sutherland, performed its unique interpretation of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Also entertaining were performers from Kim Hall's School of Dance; The Brandon Ballet, in residence at The Dance Center; the Spotlights show choir from Brandon Academy; Tampa Bay Family Theatre; and Music Showcase. The colorguard was presented by Boy Scouts Troop 110. Christmas tree lights again were provided by Cox Electric. Refreshments were donated by Tammy and Paul Holmberg, proprietors of the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A, and Sweet Tomatoes. The event was sponsored also by the Roundtable Charities of Greater Brandon, more commonly known as the Community Roundtable and previously known as the Presidents Roundtable. The group is an umbrealla organization for area charities and sponsors each year the Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade and the Public Affairs Dinner.