Tree lighting ceremony to be broadcast live on Surprise 11

Watch Surprise 11 on TV or online as the city ushers in the holiday season at the seventh annual Surprise Party Tree Lighting Dec. 5.

Live programming from the Surprise Recreation Campus will begin at 6:40 p.m., as Mayor Lyn Truitt, members of council and other dignitaries share a few words of goodwill before flipping the switch to light the holiday tree. You can catch the action live on Surprise 11 or through www.surpriseaz.com.

Friday night's free activities run from 6 to 8 p.m. and include a Hot Air Balloon Glow, Arizona Skyhawks Skydivers, live entertainment and fireworks.

The events Dec. 6 will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include an arts and crafts festival, Classic Car Show, elephant and pony rides, and pictures with Santa Claus. Saturday partygoers are asked to donate a canned food item, a new unwrapped toy or child-sized clothing item to benefit Sanderson Ford Lincoln Mercury's "Operation Santa Claus."

The Surprise Recreation Campus is at 15850 N. Bullard Ave., south of Bell Road and west of Litchfield Road. For information on Surprise Party, call the Surprise Community and Recreation Services Department at 623-222-2000 or visit www.surpriseaz.com/specialevents.