YOUNGSTER Marco Bevilacqua and his mom Liana of Hixon+Bevilacqua Home Group gave out hot coco and cookies from Lynnfield Baking Company during Lynnfield Recreation’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Mother Nature could not stop 200 residents from celebrating the start of the holiday season during Lynnfield Recreation’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3.

While it was pouring rain late morning and early afternoon, it fortunately stopped just in time for start of the ceremony. Santa Claus’ trip from the North Pole was not delayed due to the rain, and he arrived safely on Fire Engine 4.

A number of children attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony in order to share their Christmas list with Old Saint Nick. Santa was also checking his list to see who has been naughty or nice. Local photographer Bob Priestley and his daughter, Baylee, took pictures of children with Santa and printed hard copies of the pictures so parents could take them home.

Recreation Commission Chair Rich Sjoberg noted that Santa did not need a notepad to remember each child’s wish list because he remembered each one verbatim.

“We have the best Santa,” said Sjoberg in an interview with the Villager. “He comes directly from the North Pole, and we are thankful for the Lynnfield Fire Department for delivering him the last leg of the trip because we don’t want to wear out the reindeer before Christmas. When you looked at the smiles on the kids’ faces, you could see how happy they were to meet Santa at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.”

Local Realtors Christina Hixon and Liana Bevilacqua from the Hixon+Bevilacqua Home Group passed out hot chocolate that was donated by local resident MaryAnn Coletta, who owns a Dunkin’ franchise in Salem, Massachusetts. The two Realtors also handed out chocolate chunk cookies that were made by Lynnfield Baking Company owner Christina Hayman.

After Recreation Director Julie Mallett welcomed attendees to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Lynnfield High School Tri-M Music Honor Society, Girl Scouts and Brownie troops led the community sing-a-long that featured attendees singing holiday carols “Let It Snow,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.”

Select Board member Joe Connell thanked the 200 residents for coming to Lynnfield Recreation’s Tree Lighting Ceremony despite the threat of rain. He thanked Mallett, Sjoberg and the rest of the Lynnfield Recreation team for working incredibly hard to organize the event.

“We are continuing a wonderful tradition that was started many years ago in our great town,” said Connell. “On behalf of all of the great citizens of Lynnfield, I would like to thank all of you who have given so much to the town throughout the year.”

Connell recalled that the holiday season is a “time for giving.”

“As we reach out to family and friends, I hope we will also open our hearts to those in need and the brave service members deployed throughout the world who are working to preserve peace for us,” said Connell. “The caring people of Lynnfield demonstrate compassion, generosity and kindness throughout the year, but that is especially true during the holiday season.”

After Connell concluded his remarks, youngster Marco Bevilacqua lit the trees on the Town Common with Santa’s assistance. The Tree Lighting Ceremony concluded with attendees singing the holiday classic “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

“I want to congratulate Marco, who with all of his might and from the tips of his toes, flipped the tree lights switch while being cheered on by Santa,” said Sjoberg. “The new lights on the Town Common are beautiful.”

Connell said it was an honor speaking at the Tree Lighting Ceremony for the first time.

“The town comes together in good weather and bad weather to celebrate the holidays time after time,” said Connell in an interview with the Villager after the ceremony. “The best part of the event was the Lynnfield High School Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Girl Scouts singing. I am very proud of Marco as well. I wish the weather was better, but it was a great day. We had a remarkable turnout considering the weather that we had.”

Sjoberg thanked the 200 residents for coming to Lynnfield Recreation’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“As we rush through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s always nice when we can spend an afternoon celebrating together,” said Sjoberg.

Mallett agreed.

“It turned out to be a great day,” said Mallett. “We are thankful that the rain had stopped. Everyone had smiles on their faces. The Girl Scouts and the Tri-M Music Honor Society did a fabulous job performing. I also want to thank Select Board member Joe Connell for speaking. The new lights on the trees look amazing.”

Sjoberg thanked Mallett for organizing the Tree Lighting Ceremony. He also thanked her husband, Billy, for providing logistical support.

“The Tree Lighting Ceremony would not be possible without the tireless effort and caring professionalism of Julie and her unsung hero of a husband, Billy, who sets the stage annually for the holiday season kick off,” said Sjoberg.

Mallett said Billy went above and beyond to make sure the Tree Lighting Ceremony went off without a hitch.

“Billy started getting things ready at 6 a.m.,” said Mallett. “He does everything we need, and I am truly appreciative of everything he does. We couldn’t do anything of this without him.”

Sjoberg said a team effort enabled the Tree Lighting Ceremony to be a huge success once again.

“The Lynnfield Recreation Tree Lighting Ceremony is only made special by the assistance of many volunteers,” said Sjoberg. “I want to thank Select Board member Joe Connell for his kind words about the holiday season. I would also like to thank MaryAnn Coletta for donating plenty of warm hot chocolate. I also want to thank Liana Bevilacqua and Christina Hixon of the H+B Home Group for gifting each attendee with chocolate chip cookies from Christina Hayman of the Lynnfield Baking Company. I want to thank Lynnfield Police Patrolman Mark Bettencourt, Eddie Downs from the DPW and the Lynnfield Fire Department for their hands-on assistance.”

Light Up Lynnfield Contest

In addition to holding the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Lynnfield Recreation also hosted the fifth annual Light Up Lynnfield Contest. The contest’s winners are as follows:

  • Best Movie: 9 Apple Hill Ln.
  • Best Display: 10 Temple Rd.
  • Best Choreographed Display: 501 Summer St.
  • Viewers’ Choice Award: 12 Pine St.

“We had another amazing turnout for the Light Up Lynnfield Contest,” said Mallett. “It was a great way to kick off the holiday season. I want to thank everyone who participated.”

Sjoberg thanked Lucy Karis for using her “incredible graphic design talent” to create the Light Up Lynnfield map and flyer.