Syracuse's Christmas tree lighting to be more cost-effective

There will be a few changes to the traditional Christmas tree lighting in Syracuse this holiday season.  City officials are implementing changes to the annual lighting in order to be more cost effective.  Last year's festivities cost  $12,000, but this year's changes will save more than $8,000, according to The Post-Standard.  The city's recipe for drastically cutting costs in simply using less fancy and special staging, lights and production.

One of the biggest changes being made this years involves the replacement of the Snow Princess. This colossal puppet traditionally lit the Christmas tree at the end of the festivities,  however,  the Princess is being replaced by Syracuse Mayor Stephanie MInor and three Syracuse children who will have the honor of lighting the tree. The children chosen to light the tree will be determined by the winner of a letter writing competition "What the Holidays Mean to Me," judged by the Mayor Miner, according to The Post-Standard.

Participants are also being asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Food Bank of Central New York. "We're honored to be working with the city," Thomas Slater, the food bank's executive said. "Hunger is a problem every day of the year, but he people of Central and Northern New York are generous over the holidays."

The event called "Home for the Holidays" will take place the day after Thanksgiving at 6:30 p.m. at downtown Festival Park.