‘Look how big this is’
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
Jordan Leisner, 5, sits and watches the tree fire Monday night at Mary Holland Park. Though just a young one, this is the third time she has attended the annual New Year's Eve event.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
At 13 months Kaelyn Kelly attended her first Christmas tree burning Monday night at Mary Holland Park. Her grandmother, Kim Kelly, who has attended since the 1970s holds her and Kim's mother, Shirley Basemore said she hasn't missed the event since the 1950s.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
One tree fell from the top of the pile and burned to the side shortly after the fire started going Monday night during the annual tree lighting at Mary Holland Park.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
Brian Webb, 11 (in the red shirt) and his brother Ryan, 12, attended their first Christmas tree burning Monday night in Mary Holland Park. They said their older brother Joey talked them into attending it this year.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
Ryan White's head isn't really burning, but he said he was amazed at the size of the fire Monday night during the annual New Year's Eve event at Mary Holland Park.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
Ian Rivera (with the green light sword) fences with his father Julian Monday night a tthe Christmas tree burning at Mary Holland Park while Krissy Bowles appears amused by the duel.
PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW
Bartow Fire Department firefighter Dillon Swager gets the trees burning Monday night in Mary Holland Park. It was his first time lighting the trees which he only said one word: Awesome.
Shirley Bazemore hasn’t missed the annual Christmas tree burning for more than 50 years, and though it’s a lot smaller than it used to be, it’s something everyone should see. In fact, Monday night, four generations from her family were there, and both she and her daughter may have seen their own trees burning.
“I saw mine burning,” Kim Kelly said with a laugh, while her mother added, “That extra red glowing may have been my Christmas present.”
