PATRIOT LEDGER – The annual Christmas tree lighting, hosted by Plymouth Kiwanis, will be held this Friday at Town Square.
The evening’s festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Center for the Arts on North Street. Visitors can take a hayride around town and sing Christmas carols with Americana Theatre Company actors. Younger revelers can get their faces painted by Art on the Spot and share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus.
At 6 p.m., Santa will lead the parade from town hall to the town square, where the tree will be lit by St. Nicholas himself at 6:15. The Plymouth High Schools Band will perform and recently retired state Sen. Vinny deMacedo will deliver brief remarks.
After the tree lighting, runners will step off with the start of the Winter Lights 5K Road Race. A headlamp or flashlight is required to run, as is registration. At 6:30 p.m., the party moves back to the Plymouth Center for the Arts, where Santa will again be available to review children’s wish lists.
“It will be very festive to get folks into the spirit,” said Peggy Page, president of the Center for the Arts. “We are looking forward to the evening.”
Throughout the celebration, revelers can warm up at various businesses in the downtown area or the churches at the town square. Free hot chocolate will be served at Sam Diego’s Restaurant on Main Street and Blue Blinds Bakery on North Street will serve free cider, coffee and pastry.
The Christmas tree lighting is being presented by the Plymouth Kiwanis. Club president Jeff Viella said members of the service club will be coordinating activities throughout the evening and assisting visitors as they enjoy the celebration.
“Come on down and have a good time,” he said. “It’s a fun event for everyone.”
Because of the activities, traffic will be rerouted in the downtown area.
By David Kindy
