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SALT LAKE CITY — Melissa Meyers started bringing her family to the annual Larry H. Miller Christmas Carol Sing-Along when her oldest child was about 5 years old. Almost three decades later — and now with four children and 10 grandchildren — the event has become a family tradition for the Meyers.
"We get excited for it every year. We look forward to it and our grandkids absolutely love it," she said. "It's just something we do every year and we love every moment of it."
Meyers' son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Ambree Meyers, say the tradition is "the perfect way to start Christmas."
"This is the beginning of what Christmas is. It's our tradition. We just enjoyed the liveliness, the music and the camaraderie of our family coming together," Justin Meyers said, quoting Buddy from the movie "Elf."
"It's enjoyable," he said. "'The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear.'"
About 7,000 people attended the 38th annual Larry H. Miller Christmas Carol Sing-Along on Monday night. The free event featured father-daughter musical duo Mat and Savanna Shaw, emcee Kurt Bestor and the West Valley Symphony of Utah. Santa Claus and the Jazz Bear also made an appearance.
"It just feels so so good to be here back in Utah with a whole crowd. It feels so good to be home," Mat Shaw told the audience. "It reminds us of what makes Christmas so special for us. When you take away the bells and the whistles and the gifts, it's not about those things. To us, it's about being together and enjoying the Christmas spirit with the people that you love the most."
Steve Miller, Larry H. Miller Company chairman, said his family is honored to carry on the tradition of providing a free holiday concert to the community since 1997.
"I've loved coming to the Christmas Carol Sing-Along since going as a little boy when it was still at the Tabernacle on Temple Square," Bryce Miller, co-chairman of the Miller Legacy Project, said in a press release. "It's truly special bringing my own kids to sing the songs and watching them experience the same magic I've always loved."
Gary Armstrong was one of this year's newcomers to the singalong. Armstrong — a Caldwell, Idaho, resident — drove to Utah County to attend a funeral and was invited to attend the singalong by his daughter.
"I was totally thrilled by it. I would love to get something like this going where I live. It was very professional and the crowd was very wonderful," Armstrong said. "I would make a special trip next year to come down and see this."
