Chamber Lights McLean Holiday Tree

It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday shopping season in McLean.

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, as the organization proceeded to light the McLean Holiday Tree on Holiday Island, across from Rocco's.

"It's festive. It's happy," said Chamber President Marcia Twomey afterward.

"I like it," said 8-year-old Anna Giese. "I think it's pretty."

Anna and her younger brother, J.D., helped count down 3-2-1 for the flip of the switch. Charlie Boswell, whose family owns Color Wheel on Chain Bridge Road, did the honors.

"It was a pleasure," Boswell said. "It was a lot of fun, actually."

The longtime McLean fixture typically is lit ahead of the annual Winterfest Parade. Because of scheduling, the chamber opted to light the tree Tuesday in order to get ahead of Black Friday, Twomey said.

"We wanted to kickoff shopping in downtown McLean," she said.

The chamber is calling it a "holiday tree" rather than "Christmas tree" because it's welcoming all holidays, Twomey said, adding that the first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving this year.

The small group that lit the tree was able to find some respite from the weather at the Preppy Pink Pony nearby, and Giant provided hot chocolate and cookies.

Steve Arner and his team from the McLean Volunteer Fire Station put the lights on the tree, Twomey told Patch later in an email.

This Sunday is the McLean Winterfest Parade, and the chamber will host the McLean ReinDog Parade on Dec. 7.

Click here for our complete Northern Virginia holiday guide.

This article has been updated. It was originally published Tuesday, Nov. 26.