Christmas Tree Lighting on Green Heralds Holiday Season in West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — Bailey Middle School seventh-graders Obyda Charachfi, Eveleen Jiang and Sofia Lora and eighth-grader Emily Console helped Mayor Edward M. O’Brien use a “special smartphone app” to light the Christmas tree on the Green at the annual holiday kickoff Saturday.

Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrived in a 1916 Ford pump firetruck, were then escorted to the Main Street stage by the West Haven High School cheerleading team to the sound of applause and shouts of glee from an estimated 400 merrymakers young and old.

Before the ceremonial lighting of the tree, which is encircled by five smaller evergreen trees adorned with fluorescent-colored lights, O’Brien heralded the students as the selected artists of his Christmas card campaign.

The evening of festivities featured renditions of holiday classics and singalongs of Yuletide carols by The Mike Martone Band with special guest Nora Mullins.

Before their long sleigh ride back to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for snapshots in their workshop.

Just steps from the workshop, boys and girls dropped off their wish lists at Santa’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

The event was sponsored by the USAlliance Federal Credit Union, Marenna Amusements and the West Haven Voice.

Huge electric snowflakes decorated The John C. Ireland Bandstand, and Victorian-era streetlamps bedecked with angels blowing on trumpets illuminated the walkways.

Along with hayrides, children rode on the Train Station and the Dino Bears. They also fished in a “pond” for prizes.

For the first time, the free activities featured an ice carving demonstration by Matthew Terzano of Ice Matters in Cheshire, who sculpted Frosty the Snowman.

People brought nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce handed out hot chocolate, and vendors sold food and novelties.

The vendors included Christiano’s Mini Donuts & Desserts truck.

PHOTO CAPTION: From left, singer Mike Martone of The Mike Martone Band looks on as Mayor Edward M. O’Brien uses a “special smartphone app” with help from Bailey Middle School seventh-graders Eveleen Jiang, Sofia Lora and Obyda Charachfi and eighth-grader Emily Console to light the Christmas tree on the Green at the annual ceremony last Saturday night. Before the lighting, O’Brien heralded the students as the selected artists of his Christmas card campaign. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)