Hanukkah is officially underway with an enthusiastic kickoff Wednesday night in San Francisco’s Union Square drawing in several hundred to witness the lighting of a three-ton menorah.

Hanukkah is officially underway. The Jewish holiday to celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and religious freedom began at sundown on Wednesday.

Thursday afternoon, Governor Phil Scott will host the statehouse annual menorah lighting. Rabbi Eliyahu Junik will lead the ceremony on the statehouse lawn accompanied by live music. After the ceremony, traditional Hanukkah foods like latkes are served inside while people can play dreidel.