County Holiday Tree Lighting Festival Scheduled 

 
Kick-off the holiday season Dec. 3rd at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square during the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival hosted by Hillsborough County and the Friends of the County Parks.  
 
The free family event features snow slide rides, musical entertainment, Yuletide treats, carnival and inflatable games, arts-n-crafts, and the Christmas House with photos and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and last until 8:30 p.m.  
 
Hillsborough County will also be collecting unused or outdated cell phones, chargers and carrying cases, as part of their Cell Phones For Soldiers cell phone drive. 
 
Joe Chillura Courthouse Square is located at the corner of Pierce St. and Kennedy Blvd., across the street from the Fred B. Karl County Center in downtown Tampa. Call (813) 635-3500 for event information.  
 
Hillsborough County and the Friends of the County Parks extend a special Thank You to the sponsors that help keep this event free: 
 
Hillsborough County Firefighters Local 2294  
Florida West Coast Credit Union  
BrightHouse  
WSJT  
Radio Disney 
 
If a business or organization wants to be a sponsor for the Tree Lighting Festival through monetary donations or in-kind services, they should contact Lori Hudson at (813) 307-8388.