Concord's Annual Christmas Lighting Still On For Friday

CONCORD, NH — The 35th annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Friday in Downtown Concord at the Statehouse plaza.

The festivities start at 4 p.m. on the plaza with a petting zoo and pony rides by the Carriage Shack Farm in Londonderry, and carolers from the Piccola Opera of Manchester will be strolling up and down North Main Street, singing traditional songs. The Brian Waldron Band will also be performing at 5 p.m. The band is sponsored by Dave Mailhot Enterprises, a platinum sponsor.

According to organizer Dick Patten, there will be a blessing of the newly renovated Creche in the morning Friday by the Rev. Richard Roberge of Christ the King Parish. The Concord Knights of Columbus have been working on the restoration of the nativity scene since last spring.

North Main Street from Loudon Road and Centre Street to School Street will be closed from 4 to 6 p.m.

Santa is expected to make a visit, with the help of the Concord Fire Department, at 5:30 p.m.

The tree lighting will occur just before 6 p.m. and then fireworks will be lit off courtesy of Atlas Pyrotechnics of Jaffrey and Binnie Media of Portsmouth with WJYY FM.

"The fireworks have been in memory of Skip Houle and Kevin Tucker who were very involved with the celebration," Patten said.

Everyone is being asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Concord Grange #322 has provided holiday lights for the State House Plaza tree, Eagle Square tree, and Concord Heights tree for 49 years.

Sponsors for 2020 include the Rowley Insurance Agency, Service Credit Union, Northeast Credit Union, Eastern Bank, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Granite Investment Advisors, NH Speedway of Loudon, Concord Business Center, and an anonymous donor who is a medical professional and has helped for several years, Patten said.

Donations are still being accepted at Concord Christmas Tree Lighting, PO Box 1482, Concord, NH 03302.

For more information, call 603-496-2917.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.