OCALA - With the holidays approaching, Ocala has flipped on the switch to symbolize the beginning of their holiday celebration. Tonight ocala gets a little brighter, about 200 to 300 thousand lights lit up the streets of Ocala along with a 42-foot tall tree in the middle of it all.

     This year's "Light Up Ocala" is different from years past as the event was spread out as far as the newly Opened Citizen's Circle. With attendance levels growing each year, the city was encouraged to expand the 29th annual "Light Up Ocala." All in order to accommodate the larger crowds. Stan Crill, the Ocala Recreation Events Supervisor says the preparations took half a year. "This is a great event to showcase some of the cities downtown area and also allow the community to see our new city hall area and the north side, it's just a beautiful area," Crill says.

     Be it the big tree or the light show. Streets are filled with crowds of family and friends that are here welcoming the holiday season. Nancy Rivers a resident of Ocala for 13 years says during times like these, the community needs something to cheer them up. "I think it's wonderful because the economy is really bad right now. People need to get out there and have fun, enjoy life," Rivers says.

     Two high school students take this season of giving to volunteer and help make the even a success. Savannah James & Rebeca Hall said, "We make sure everything looks good and we're handing out giving out the glasses and the reindeer antlers for the little kids."

     Maria Kimble brought her family out to the event and hopes for harmony this holiday season. Kimble says, "Unity as a community as a church, as a state, as a nation. We have to come together, work together in the community to show one another love during the holiday season." For the viewing pleasure of residents and visitors, the lights will remain up until the end of the holidays to continue spreading some holiday cheer.