Westmont To Light Beloved Pickle Tree

Westmont ushers in the Christmas season with the 16th annual Pickle Tree Lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 5 p.m. at Kerrwood Lawn. Following holiday music and the Pickle Address, a mystery tree lighter will throw down the massive switch that lights the 150-foot redwood tree, affectionately known as the Pickle Tree. The event is free and open to the public.

Hundreds of students, alumni and neighbors will join the celebration, enjoying warm apple cider and cookies. Santa Claus will pose for pictures with people who brought cameras inside Kerrwood Hall beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, please call (805) 565-6056.

The Cold Spring School Choir, led by Sara DiSalvo, will perform from 4:40-5 p.m. and Westmont’s Ahh-Men will perform from 5-5:30 p.m.

Michelle Hughes ’89, Westmont alumna and associate professor of education, will deliver the Pickle Address. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and teaching credential from Westmont in 1989 and worked as a teacher and assistant principal in Santa Barbara for two decades. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and an administrative services credential from CSU Northridge; in 2014 she earned a doctorate from George Fox University. Michelle looks forward to delivering the Pickle Address and kicking off the Christmas season with the Westmont community.