Texas Motor Speedway helped welcome the holiday season Monday with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and charity bicycle giveaway.
NBC 5 sports director Newy Scruggs had the honor of helping illuminate the 59-foot Douglas fir adorned with 10,000 LED lights, oversized ornaments and a giant star.
The tree lighting was accompanied by a holiday-themed fireworks show above the speedway.
After that, Scruggs and Speedway Children's Charities-Texas Chapter gave new bicycles and helmets to 100 children from Hispano Exito and A Wish With Wings, courtesy of PrimeLending.
Santa Claus was expected to make an appearance and the choir from Chisholm Trail Middle School was on hand to lead the singing of holiday songs.
Attendees at the free event were treated to complimentary hot cocoa, holiday cookies and a voucher good for a free trip through the Gift of Lights, a drive-through light park at TMS that benefits local charities.
During the program Monday, SSC-Texas distributed nearly $400,000 in grants to North Texas children's organizations, including a $125,000 Founder's Grant to the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp. The grant will be used to build a handicap-accessible Alpine Tower that will provide a high-adventure activity for children.
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"SCC-Texas Chapter has made a lasting impact on children in North Texas since its inception in 1997 by awarding more than $10.6 million in grants to area children's organizations," the speedway said in a news release. "The funds are raised through special events held throughout the year, with the majority of them centered on the three major race weeks at Texas Motor Speedway."
