Lighting the Bow

“It’s one thing to have a vision; it’s another to be a game changer” -  Well said Steve Craig, Founding partner and President/CEO of Craig Realty.  The Bow Lighting ceremony at the Citadel Outlet Mall in the City of Commerce was full of impressive “game changers”.

Early in 2013, Steve Craig had a vision. He visualized a large bow atop the Citadel as a decoration for the Holidays.  The bow would represent the gifts to be found, given, and cherished. It would represent the gift a gift to the economy the commerce gives back to

the community.

And so the dream becomes a reality with the bow lighting ceremony on November 7, 2013 at the Citadel. Media from all over were invited to come and witness this first  lighting of the bow and the fruition of the dream of one man.

The evening was entertained by a student (and a few local teachers) orchestra under the direction of Maestro Dino Zonic.  A charitable donation was made to the music organization – another game changer.  The students rely on the donations to keep the program going. 

Craig’s bow is 21 feet tall, 36 feet wide, with ribbons that measure 72 feet. This creation weighs a total of 8,100 lbs, with an additional 2,000 lbs to support it s weight.  It was built by American Christmas, New York NY.  The same company that decorates places like Rockefeller Center, NY.  They not only made the beautiful bow, but continued on to decorate the entire face of the mall with enough lights to stretch from the Citadel in the City of Commerce to Disneyland in Anaheim.  The lighting ceremony was, to say the least, breathtaking. I was enchanted. 

I may have a bit of Halloween candy left in the bowl, but after listening to the orchestra of  talented young men and women, feeling the warmth from the glow this enormous glittering bow … I’m thinking that the game changer for me is that now I want to shop before Thanksgiving. Picking out each gift under a tree at the Citadel that you can see over the tops of the tall buildings. 

Didn't make it to the Ceremony? NO problem. The lights are up, the trees are decorated and the bow is lit. Come on down to the Citadel and embrace the Christmas spirit.