West Haven Tree Lighting Ceremony Set for Nov. 26

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — The annual lighting of the Christmas tree on the Green will herald an evening of merrymaking Nov. 26.

On a nearby stage on Main Street, the festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. with renditions of holiday classics by The Mike Martone Band, followed by singalongs of Yuletide carols.

At 6 p.m., Mayor Edward M. O’Brien will greet revelers and announce the four selected artists of his Christmas card campaign: Bailey Middle School seventh-graders Eveleen Jiang and Sofia Lora, eighth-grader Emily Console, and seventh-grader Obyda Charachfi and his sister, West Haven High School freshman Tia Charachfi.

The West Haven High cheerleading team will then escort Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves to the stage, where they will help O’Brien and his Christmas card artists use a “special smartphone app” to set the tree aglow.

The Christmas tree is encircled by five smaller evergreen trees adorned with fluorescent-colored lights.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet visitors and pose for snapshots in their workshop until 9 p.m.

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

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

According to organizers, the elves will give out “magic reindeer food” to help Santa and Mrs. Claus return to the North Pole.

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

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

For the first time, the event will feature an ice carving demonstration, organizers said.

The activities are free, but people are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce will hand out hot chocolate, and vendors will sell food and novelties.

The vendors will include the 744 Express food truck and the Christiano’s Mini Donuts & Desserts truck.

If it rains, the lighting will take place at 5 p.m. Nov. 28.

Image via Shutterstock