■ A holiday reveler participates in a holiday sing-along following the lighting of a construction crane with 12,000 colorful lights (background) over the future Station at Othello Park development, at Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Othello Street on Nov. 30. photo/Don Pham, Northwest Vietnamese News
On Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Tom Rauf, of the Othello Partners development firm, led a gathering of about 35 neighbors in the countdown, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6...," whereupon 12,000 colorful lights instantly blinked on 152 feet over their heads.
This Lighting of the Crane celebration was an opportunity for Othello neighbors to get together and party in the parking lot in front of the Citadel while gazing up in wonder of the highest structure ever seen anywhere near the corner of Martin Luther King Way South and South Othello Street.
The string of holiday lights stretches 220 feet along the construction tower crane's monstrous jib that reaches out over the treetops of Othello Park. Under the apex of the crane, more lights are arranged in a conical shape to simulate a holiday tree.
After the brief ceremony, children played while everyone stood around chatting, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies.
Eventually, someone passed out songsheets for a sing-along of winter favorites like "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and "Frosty the Snowman."
Meanwhile, Sound Transit light-rail trains clanged and tooted in and out of the station as people got on and off, some joining the fun.
Rauf said the construction firm Exxel leased the crane from the Coast Crane Co. to build The Station at Othello Park, a mixed-use residential and commercial transit-oriented development next door to the light-rail station.
He also said the event was a community effort. The Othello Station Community Advisory Team pitched in to help with the organizing, all of which happened by e-mail.
The Othello Park Alliance lent awnings from their summer activities, and the manager of the local Safeway store donated refreshments.
Overriding the excitement was a relaxed atmosphere, with everyone seeming to enjoy being outdoors together on a not-too-cold evening.
