Families are invited to the free annual Holiday Community Tree Lighting Celebration at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Center Court in the Simi Valley Town Center.

An encore lighting will be at 7:15 p.m.

The celebration will include music, special effects, visits from the mayor of Simi Valley and Santa Claus and-according to event organizers-the tallest holiday tree in Ventura County.

The 70-foot pine tree, which was delivered to the area from Mt. Shasta in upstate California, will be decorated with 10,000 lights and 10,000 ornaments.

Also, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is offering free $20 gift certificates to shoppers who spend $150 in one day at the mall. The offer is good while supplies last. Shoppers should bring sameday Town Center store and restaurant receipts to guest services.

Department stores are excluded and other restrictions apply. See guest services for details.

For more information, visit www.simivalleytc.com.