“Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities” kicks off holiday season tonight

By Mark E. Vogler

The town’s official Christmas tree, which grows in the monument rotary of Saugus Center, got decorated with big red bows this week, in preparation for the town’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities scheduled for tonight (Friday, Dec. 1). Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree calls it one of the community’s “most beloved events” and estimates that it draws in a crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people on the first Friday of December.

“Please join your family and friends and come out to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season as a community,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “This is one of our Town’s most unforgettable annual events, so I hope to see you all there.”

Residents young and old are invited to Town Hall today (Friday, Dec. 1) from 5 to 8 p.m. for a fun-filled evening with Santa, sleigh rides, a petting zoo, a moon bounce, hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment, horse-drawn hay rides and much more. The Town is also excited for the return of holiday trackless train rides, which will run weather permitting.

But the main event gets underway at 7 p.m., when Santa Claus arrives shortly before the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Then he will spend about an hour accommodating a long line of children and grown-ups who want to share a photo opportunity with him.

“Each year the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities is bigger and more magical than ever, thanks to countless hours of preparation and setup by volunteers, the Department of Youth and Recreation, the Department of Public Works, the Building Maintenance Department, and numerous other municipal employees,” Crabtree said in a press release issued this week.

“This beloved event would also not be possible without the continued support and generosity from residents and local businesses,” he said.

For more information, contact the Town Manager’s Office at 781-231-4111.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities anchors a weekend filled with holiday activities in Saugus. Tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 2), the Belmonte STEAM Academy PTO hosts the 2023 Belmonte Holiday Stroll at 10 a.m. in the Belmonte STEAM Academy Gymnasium at 25 Dow St. This year’s stroll features more than 40 unique and talented crafters, consultants and “KIDpreneurs.” Shoppers can also check out the elementary school talent show. This is a family-fun event.

Also tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 2), St. John’s Episcopal Church holds its first Annual Christmas Fair and crafts tables, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church had a fall fair for decades. But this year, church officials decided to move the fair to December and have a Christmas Fair with craft tables. There will be a yard sale and snack bar downstairs. There will be vendor and craft tables with baked goods, candy, cards, jewelry, basket raffles and more. For more information, please check StJohnsSaugus.org or call 781-233-1242.

Saugus residents who want to get into the holiday spirit while celebrating a noble cause should make plans for attending the Moms Cancer Fighting Angels 4th Annual Christmas party–themed fundraiser event tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 2) from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fuddruckers on Route 1 North in Saugus. The event will feature an ugly sweater contest, the 105.7 WROR Street Team over budget monster trucks, Christmas Carols with the Saugus High School Acapella Group and Lynn’s All City Band. Meteorologist Pete Bouchard from NBC 10 will read “The Night Before Christmas” to the children. Massachusetts Pink Patch Cruisers will accompany Santa’s sleigh with bright lights and music as well as the big man himself – Santa – and Friends. There will also be raffles and 50/50. Fuddruckers will generously donate 20 percent of sales to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Wakefield during the event. We also ask that you consider bringing a new unwrapped toy for The Salvation Army’s Santa.

  Editor’s Note: If you know of any holiday events planned for this month and want to let the community know about them, please email the event information to mv***@*****st.net.