“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”: Light Up Cooper City 2019

BY SOFIA MENDEZ

On Friday, December 6, the Cooper City community gathered to kick off the holiday season with food, community youth performances, bounce houses, train rides, craft fairs and a variety of children’s activities at the annual Light Up Cooper City Festival. It took place between Cooper City Town Hall and Memorial Park, right off of SW 90th Avenue, and lasted from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Light Up Cooper City featured many trees decorated by the community. Each tree and its lights symbolized a theme or message from the specific school or charity that decorated it. The array of trees made the event’s setting pop out as they were decorated with shimmering colors. 

“The whole event is just like a winter wonderland … It gets everyone in the mood for the holidays,” Cooper City resident Daniela Vega said. “It’s something for the whole family to enjoy and celebrate the coming of Christmas.”

Through the walkways of the event, there were inflatable bounce houses and some holiday decoration boards. The festival featured one thing that encapsulates the winter holiday season: snow. Although in South Florida snow is a rarity, there were snow machines attached to some trees at Light Up Cooper City that granted a magical feel for attendees.

“The whole event is just like a winter wonderland … It gets everyone in the mood for the holidays.”

Cooper City resident Daniela Vega

Light Up Cooper City also highlighted various clubs, schools and talent from all over the community. The event featured local clubs and shops that set up their own fundraising booths to sell snacks and goodies, such as cotton candy, beverages and more. 

CCHS’s own Cowboy Television (CTV) sold nachos at the event, specifically to raise money for their end-of-the-year trip to the Student Television Network (STN) national competition. Likewise, CCHS’s Latinos in Action (LIA) sold empanadas to raise funds for their club.

“I’m part of LIA and it’s very important to represent our culture by selling the typical foods such as empanadas,” junior Eric Erazo said. “At the event, I was advertising our booth and by working together with my classmates as a team, we were able to grab people’s attention and the empanadas sold out.”

Additionally, two of the crowd’s favorite classic and local holiday customs were at the event. Light Up Cooper City once again had their miniature holiday train that could be ridden by participants at the event. Along with that, the Santa Claus meet-and-greet had a long line filled with eager kids to talk to him about what they want for Christmas.

“My favorite part of Light Up Cooper City was talking to Santa Claus.”

Embassy Creek student  Martin Vega

“My favorite part of Light Up Cooper City was talking to Santa Claus,” Embassy Creek student  Martin Vega said. “I was able to tell him what I want for this year and he said he’ll make it happen!”

With smiles and laughs, friends and family kept each other company and continued to spread the holiday cheer. Cooper City came together in light of the holiday spirit. With all sorts of activities and performances, the residents of Cooper City were definitely overjoyed.

Photo by The Lariat Photography