6,000 PAY VISIT TO ANTHEM FOR TREE-LIGHTING FESTIVITIES

Abstract

The courtyards and walkways of the outlet mall were crammed with people watching the stage, and two giant dual-sided screens offering even those packed in the back courtyard behind the stage a chance to see the show.

About 6,000 people braved traffic and crowds, flocking to Anthem in the north Valley on Saturday to see the official lighting of what is touted as the state's largest Christmas tree.

The 80-foot white fir at the Outlets at Anthem weighs more than 17,000 pounds and is adorned with thousands of ornaments, most bigger than a child's head.

Five-year-old Lily Sychtysz traveled from Scottsdale with her mom and grandmother to see the live holiday entertainment, Santa and country singer Taylor Swift.

Swift got applause, but Lily liked the singing elves best.

"They were really good," she said with a smile.

Many attendees arrived with blankets and chairs hours before the 6 p.m. Saturday show to get good seats.

Those who did not met a half-hour, miles-long backup on Interstate 17 at Anthem Way.

The courtyards and walkways of the outlet mall were crammed with people watching the stage, and two giant dual-sided screens offering even those packed in the back courtyard behind the stage a chance to see the show.

"We've never had this many people here," Jessica Irwin, marketing director for the outlet shopping center said as she jostled her way through the crowd of strollers, kids on dads' shoulders and couples trying to remain hand-in-hand.

This is the fifth year that the Outlets at Anthem have brought in the state's tallest Christmas tree and put on a show to kick off the holiday shopping season.

Last year, the outlet mall boasted an evergreen that was bigger than the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, usually the biggest holiday tree in the country. This year, New York City reclaimed its title with an 88-foot Norway Spruce.

As 16-year-old Taylor Swift got ready to sing her hit country single, titled Tim McGraw, she asked the audience to take out their cellphones.

"I only do this during songs I love," Swift said.

The crowd of thousands glowed with the lights from cellphones held in swaying arms.

"It's the new lighter," quipped Chad Groves, a north Phoenix resident who came to the event with his family. "I guess since no one smokes anymore no one has a lighter in their pocket."

The Christmas tree will remain at the outlet mall through the end of the year.

Santa will pose for photos daily.

Information: www.outletsat anthem.com.

\

Reach the reporter at [email protected].

CAPTION: A crew from Vito's Custom Christmas Trees of California raises an 80-foot white fir at the Outlets at Anthem. It is touted as the state's tallest Christmas tree this year.