Shelter Insurance celebrates 56th annual tree-lighting and opens Winter Wonderland

Lauren Tronstad, Columbia Daily Tribune
·2 min read
Kids watch as the Christmas tree is lit during Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway. The West Middle School band entertained the crowd while waiting for the tree-lighting. This year, the Winter Wonderland Garden of Lights opened following the tree-lighting at Shelter Gardens.
Kids watch as the Christmas tree is lit during Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway. The West Middle School band entertained the crowd while waiting for the tree-lighting. This year, the Winter Wonderland Garden of Lights opened following the tree-lighting at Shelter Gardens.

Shelter Insurance hosted its 56th annual tree-lighting and first-ever Winter Wonderland Garden of Lights on Thursday night at its Columbia headquarters.

The 26-foot Christmas tree is adorned with numerous lights and ornaments as well as a 4-foot star on top. The lights on the tree change colors from red and green to pink and purple. The tree-lighting event returned in-person after being drive-thru in 2020.

"I'm excited to wrap up our 75th anniversary celebration this year with our tree-lighting event being held again and finally in-person," Shelter CEO Randa Rawlins said.

Aaliyah Blumenthal, 11, daughter of a Shelter employee, lit the tree while the West Middle School band played "O Christmas Tree." The school's choir then sang carols as attendees walked over to Shelter Gardens, enjoying unseasonably mild weather.

Osima Adejo, 14, a student at West Middle School, plays the trombone Thursday as band members perform Christmas music at Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway.
Osima Adejo, 14, a student at West Middle School, plays the trombone Thursday as band members perform Christmas music at Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway.

The Winter Wonderland, covering the botanical garden next to the corporate office at 1817 W. Broadway, has been an idea for years, said Jay MacLellan, director of public relations at Shelter. Shelter Gardens now features about 20 different holiday scenes, including a penguin sliding down an igloo, elves feeding reindeer and tunnels of lights.

The company intends to make the wonderland display a new annual tradition.

"It's great to bring the community all together again to kick off the holiday season," MacLellan said.

Seth Allen takes a photo of himself and his daughter Pearl, 7, on Thursday following Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway.
Seth Allen takes a photo of himself and his daughter Pearl, 7, on Thursday following Shelter Insurance’s 56th annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 1817 W. Broadway.

Visitors followed a lighted path, with staff members helping direct the flow of foot traffic.

Attendees Thursday were given bags of cookies at the entrance of their tour.

Children at the ceremony entered the school house in Shelter Gardens to take pictures with Santa and one of his elves.

The Winter Wonderland Garden of Lights will be open from 6-8 p.m. each Friday and Saturday between now and Dec. 18, in addition to Dec. 20, 21 and 22.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Shelter Insurance holds 56th tree-lighting and first Winter Wonderland