Lighting up the night

Hundreds of people crowded the Americana at Brand on Thursday to view the second annual Christmas Tree Lighting and fireworks display.

The event features acts like OneRepublic and Drew Seeley, with appearances by Dora the Explorer, magicians and Christmas tunes sang by a choir accompanied by a full orchestra.

The 110-foot-tall tree was decorated with 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments, according to Caruso Affiliated, which owns the Americana.

Caruso Affiliated and city officials this year took extra steps to notify residents of the fireworks display after some complained last year that they were caught off guard.