FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, senior enlisted leader, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, left, join community members on stage to light a holiday tree during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3. (Photo by Scott Prater)
By Pvt. Traquez Coe
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Community members gather around a campfire, hot chocolate in-hand, during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson started off the holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021.
About 8,000-10,000 community members gathered to experience the official tree lighting and festivities.
Children’s faces lit up with joy as Santa drove into the park on an illuminated sleigh, prefacing the main event — the lighting of the holiday tree.
“It means a lot to the community to have stuff like this,” said Noly Rose Yepez, a Fort Carson community member who attended the event. “I would totally do this again. It was a lot of fun for the kids.”
Colorado Springs vendors, food trucks and DOD vendors were also in attendance to offer their merchandise to the visiting crowds and support the event with holiday cheer.
“It feels awesome to be a part of this event,” said Brandy Foe, a special events coordinator with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “Holidays can be really hard for some people, so they look forward to being here and having something special with their family. It’s really fun to have everybody come.”
The event served as a way for members of the Fort Carson community to come together during the holiday season.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Fort Carson Firefighters standby to transport Santa at Iron Horse Park during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, senior enlisted leader, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, welcome community members during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — An unhappy young community member sits for a photo with Santa Claus during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Grinch interacts with community members and event organizers during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Members of the 4th Infantry Division Band perform during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Ebenezer Scrooge interviews Santa during the Fort Carson Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Iron Horse Park Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Scott Prater)