Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda Joins Old Pasadena's Tree Lighting Ceremony

Old Pasadena is pleased to announce the addition of Baseball Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda to the One Colorado Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 23 at 6:00 P.M. The Tree Lighting Ceremony culminates a day of holiday festivities throughout Old Pasadena featuring spectacular performances, Santa's arrival, live reindeer and real snow. All activities take place Friday, November 23, from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and are free and open to the public.

Everything kicks off at 4:00 P.M. with Old Pasadena's own winter wonderland located on Holly Street between Raymond and Fair Oaks. Kids can play in 30-tons of real snow, see live reindeer fresh from the North Pole, ride a holiday choo-choo train, draw in a kids' art area sponsored by The Armory Center for the Arts, and enjoy live music at this spectacular children's winter playground.

Then, the public is invited to venture over to One Colorado at 6:00 P.M. when Santa arrives to light the dazzling 35-foot Christmas tree with Tommy Lasorda and the 90th Rose Queen®. The One Colorado Courtyard will also host a heart-warming holiday performance by the 70-voice Pasadena Tabernacle Children's chorus. The audience is invited to sing along to the concert, which will be filled with everyone's seasonal favorites.

At the Tree-Lighting, everyone is asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book for the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys toy drive, which benefits children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Children and adults who donate an unwrapped toy or book will receive a free photo with Santa during the tree lighting ceremony. Gifts are also being collected throughout the season in Smith Alley near Il Fornaio at One Colorado, Pasadena Senior Center, as well as at numerous locations throughout Pasadena.

Pasadena's largest holiday celebration is a free community event presented by One Colorado, Old Pasadena Management District, Pasadena Star-News and the Pasadena Jaycees.

Tommy Lasorda is a baseball legend. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 1945 and began his professional career with the Concord Weavers in 1945. He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as Manager in 1977, and led the team to victory with two World Series championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles. After the sale of the team to Frank McCourt, Lasorda took on his current position of "Special Advisor to the Chairman" where his responsibilities include scouting, evaluating and teaching minor league players, acting as an advisor and ambassador for the Dodgers' international affiliations, and representing the team at special events such as the Old Pasadena Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

GENERAL PUBLIC: Please call 626.546.1066 or go to www.onecolorado.com or www.oldpasadena.org

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com