North Adams Celebrates Season with Annual Tree Lighting
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Traffic around Eagle Street was backed up as people rushed toward the activities being held at the top of Main Street. The temperature was a chilly 37 degrees but a large crowd of eager people, young and old, waited for the bright lights of Christmas to shine and for the "Man of the Hour," Santa Claus, to arrive. Despite a few afternoon showers, the rain held off and the city's celebration stayed dry.
Among the families that came out for the annual event was Renee Royal, her mother and her two children.
"We come out every year to hear the Drury High School band and chorus and to get into the holiday spirit," Royal said.
The evening's festivities began with Jason Laforest and the chorus leading the crowd in singing Christmas carols and popular holiday songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." Free hot coca was available as well as free trolley rides to Western Gateway Heritage State Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
Mayor John Barrett III gave a special thanks to Robert Upton and R.J. Laurello of the city's alarm and wire division for their hours of hard work decorating downtown trees with many strings of lights. All total, 70,000 colorful lights were used to light both evergreen trees and 36,000 white lights were used to decorate the smaller trees that line Main Street. The trees light up each end of Main Street, with the big 35-footer donated by Phyllis Szewczyk of Adams at Monument Square and the smaller one donated by Najib Davis of Clarksburg near City Hall.
As he addressed the crowd, Barrett reminded everyone that the holiday season is all about family and friends.
"We are lucky to live where we live," he said. "This is the time when we should
remember those who could not be home with us for the holidays. Even though this has been a tough week for some in North Adams, it is a very special place." As the crowd waited for the moment to happen, the mayor was accompanied by a young friend, Michael King, who helped flipped the switch. The trees lit up the dark night sky. As the crowd cheered, sirens could be heard in the distance.
The flashing lights of police cars followed by the North Adams Trolley could mean only one thing: Santa and Mrs. Claus had come to town. The trolley pulled up to the newly lit Christmas tree while Santa and Mrs. Claus distributed goodie bags filled with coloring books, crayons and candy canes to the little children.
Becky Cellana, her three daughters and husband posed for family pictures in front of the colorful tree.
"We would have been out here even if it was raining," Cellana said. "This is a family tradition and we wouldn't miss it."
