Cities throughout the Bay Area are setting up for the holidays in traditional fashion. Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, ice skating rinks and toy drives are the norm.
But this year, Oakland is starting a new tradition with their official holiday party, hopping on the texting bandwagon and employing the thumbs of the masses for their lighting display.
The city will be taking orders for personalized light shows at their Jack London Square holiday display. The square features 25 palm trees standing 40-feet tall each and covered in 7,500 watts of lights.
Anyone with a cell phone, healthy thumbs and holiday spirit can send a request to see something special on the holiday palms.
There's a catch, though. Requests must come from inside Jack London Square. Visitors to the square can customize their night at the waterfront by choosing colors and patterns from a menu at the display.
It's sort of a "holiday display jukebox," spokesman Jordan Pierce said.
So, if you're in the mood for a personal holiday lighting display but not in the mood to climb on a ladder and string your own lights, head over to Jack London Square in Oakland this holiday season and get to texting.
