Published in the December 1, 2016 edition
THE BIG EVENT. Santa Claus is mobbed by a horde of children at the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting ceremony on the common Sunday. (Bob Turosz Photo)
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING — North Reading Center came alive with trolley rides, bunnies and goats in the Historic District, Santa on the Common and more holiday lights and Christmas spirit than ever on Sunday evening for the 11th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival sponsored by the Reading–North Reading Chamber of Commerce.
The weather cooperated with this year’s event – to a degree. What began as a balmy, sunny afternoon took a turn for the chilly as clouds moved in and a breeze picked up. But this failed to deter hundreds of folks who turned out for the official kick off to the North Reading holiday season, climaxed by the arrival of Santa Claus on a North Reading Fire Engine to officially light the Christmas tree on the common as well as the lights that decorate the rest of the entire area. And there are more lights on the common than ever this year – six extra trees along Haverhill Street were illuminated for the first time Sunday night, thanks to the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce. The additional trees were lit this year thanks to the support of the Chamber’s Adopt A Tree sponsors: Reading Gymnastics, The Savings Bank, The Horseshoe Grille, Farrelly Realty and TD Bank.
All afternoon, children could have their photo taken with Santa at the Reading Cooperative Bank and then hop a trolley for a ride to the common, where all the fun was happening. From there they could jump on a tractor for a hay ride through the historic district, pop into the Library for their annual Cookie Walk, mosey on down to Bow Street where the Putnam House, the Damon Tavern and the town’s other historic buildings were open and visit the new attraction this year, a children’s petting zoo. From there, they could cross the street back to the common for families to enjoy the bouncy house and free food tastings from local businesses like the Pizza Goddess, the Horseshoe Grille, Joe Fish, Harrow’s Chicken Pies, Edible Arrangements of Woburn, enjoy hot cocoa and cider and more. All the while, North Reading High School carolers sang the music of the season at the Reading Co–op Bank and Ryer’s Store.
A NEW FEATURE this year at the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Tree Lighting was a children’s petting zoo. Above, Avery Carroll, 6, makes her acquaintance with a baby chick while Kaleah McDevitt, 10, hugs a bunny. (Bob Turosz Photo)
Then they could huddle around – both for warmth and bird’s eye view – of the free performances by The Dancing School, East Coast Dance Center, Cervizzi’s Martial Arts, the North Reading High School Band, the North Reading School of Ballet and the Community Chorale.
Since 2005, the Chamber’s efforts to sponsor the annual Holiday Lighting Festival have become an eagerly awaited holiday tradition in North Reading. Donations to defray the annual costs are gratefully accepted. A North Reading Holiday Lighting Fund has been established at the Reading Cooperative Bank.
If interested in making a donation, make your check payable to the Reading–North Reading Chamber of Commerce and send it directly to the North Reading Holiday Lighting Fund, c/o Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St., North Reading MA 01864.
