UPDATE, 5:40 PM: The official West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Christmas Tree is lit, after another festive ceremony that saw hundreds packed into Junction Plaza Park, with holiday music from the Endolyne Children’s Choir and the Starlight All-Stars band, emceed by Marty Riemer from The Mountain. The post-lighting music has just wrapped up.

ADDED 6:18 PM: Our video clip shows the countdown and the tree-lighting – the actual counting was done onstage by the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court (Queen Thea, Princess Amanda, Princess Elena) with Marty. Here are the first two songs by the Endolyne Children’s Choir:

The Endolyne singers perform at Chief Sealth International High School this Tuesday night, with the West Seattle Community Orchestras – concert details here. Here’s the Starlight All-Stars later:

Before the lighting ceremony in the park, the West Seattle High School Band played Christmas music in the heart of The Junction:

It’s all part of the Hometown Holidays celebration (co-sponsored by WSB), which continues tomorrow with Santa photos 11 am-3 pm at City Mouse Studio and Store (4218 SW Alaska), $15 donation goes to local nonprofits including WestSide Baby, whose executive director Nancy Woodland spoke tonight. Other speakers: West Seattle Junction Association president Todd Carden of Elliott Bay Brewing, with a quip about the official tree:

West Seattle Christian Church‘s Pastor Dan Jacobs spoke too, about the spirit of the season.
****
ORIGINAL REPORT (4:56 PM): A crowd has gathered at Junction Plaza Park and musical warmups are under way … c’mon down!