People arrived early and stayed late as Cincinnati officially welcomed the holiday season with "Light Up the Square," the annual lighting of the holiday tree on Fountain Square on Friday, November 27, 2009.

The tree sparkled with 20,000 white lights and an illuminated, five-foot-tall red star. The tree is among the tallest holiday tree ever on the Square, measuring 60 feet tip to tip.

Festivities began on the Square at 6:30 p.m. with hosts Jeff Thomas from Q102's "Jeff and Jen in the Morning" and Channel 5's Sheree Paolello. Popular local party band the Naked Karate Girls provided live music & entertainment throughout, and at 7:00 p.m. the Mayor lit the tree with the help of actor Josh Hutcherson, best known for his role in the 2007 film Bridge to Terabithia. Josh Hutcherson is a 17-year-old actor from Union, Kentucky, and is proud to say that the Cincinnati Bengals is his favorite NFL team. His current movie, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant opened October 23, 2009.

Fireworks followed the tree-lighting - and what’s a holiday kickoff without a visit from Santa Claus?

Click here to this year's pictures and watch the video:

Special thanks to title sponsor Macy's and presenting sponsors P&G, Toyota and Cincinnati Bell.

The U.S. Bank Ice Rink remained open throughout the Light Up festivities.

We would like to thank P&G for their support of Fountain Square and these other great causes.   

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