Business & Tech

'Living Christmas Tree' Stage Set for Phineas Festival in Downtown Banning

The multi-tiered stage was in place and ready Friday for the holiday gathering scheduled Saturday next to Banning's civic center.

The multi-tiered "Living Christmas Tree" was gleaming and ready Friday for this year's Phineas Festival of Lights, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in downtown Banning.

Set-up for the tree stage started Wednesday and light winds Thursday did not interfere, members of LifePoint Church said Friday afternoon.

The Phineas Festival, organized by volunteers, church members, and the Banning Cultural Alliance, will include light displays, musical performances, and the Banning Chamber of Commerce's tree lighting ceremony at the Ring of Honor on the corner of Ramsey Street and San Gorgonio Avenue.

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The Living Christmas Tree, featuring members of LifePoint Church, is sure to be one of the highlights. The chorus features 50 adults and 20 children, according to festival organizers.

"The annual Living Christmas Tree is our free gift to our community," Robin Coppage, a spokesperson for the church, said in a news release. "We love being part of this community and sharing the joy and hope of Christmas with our families, friends and neighbors."

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The Phineas Festival includes a youth craft booth, tours of the downtown area on a fire truck, a snow hill, a living nativity featuring live animals and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, according to organizers.

New for this year is chili cook-off competition, according to the Banning Cultural Alliance.

Living Christmas Tree performances are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. In the event of rain, performances will move inside .

The Phineas Festival is named for 19th century businessman and entrepreneur Phineas Banning, known as "the Father of the Port of Los Angeles."

Banning also operated a stagecoach line between Wilmington through the San Gorgonio Pass to Yuma, Ariz. The city of Banning is named for him, though he did not live here.

To get to the Phineas Festival of Lights, take interstate 10 to Banning, exit 8th Street and follow the signs.

For information, call at (951) 922-4911.


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