CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN! With the touch of his hand, Santa magically lit up the Christmas tree and all the trees on the Town Common Sunday at dusk as the crowd and Mrs. Claus cheered. See more photos inside this week’s Transcript. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — The frigid temperatures and stiff breezes on Sunday afternoon did not deter the young and the young-at-heart from having a fantastic time at the festive Holiday Tree Lighting on the Town Common and the adjacent historic sites on the grounds of the Rev. Daniel Putnam House and the Damon Tavern.
A steady stream of hundreds enjoyed all the offerings provided by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event for the 19th year thanks to the support of dozens of local businesses.
If the numbers of smiling children running to and fro defines success, then the Chamber hit this one out of the park. The kids excitedly interacted with the strolling characters, including a stilt walker, snowman, gingerbread man and the Royal Air Lion. They visited with the firefighters who brought a big red engine for them to explore; they played corn hole, went on a scavenger hunt, and had fun on the hayride pulled by Gordon Hall’s 85-year-old McCormick Farmall tractor driven by his grandson, Matt Hall.
The children learned how to hula-hoop from a very friendly elf, and waited patiently in line to get their faces painted and for a warm cup of hot cocoa, all free of charge. They explored the petting zoo and Living Nativity provided by the town’s churches, and visited the historic buildings where they could interact with members of the Minit and Militia and the Historical Society to learn about the town’s past.
Many kids participated in dance routines and martial arts demonstrations, and they sang and danced while the NRHS Marching Band members — attired in festive costumes and brightly colored bows — played Christmas tunes in anticipation of the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by fire truck for that special moment when Santa would magically turn on the lights and transform the Town Common into a winter wonderland just as the setting sun turned the sky aglow.
