OLD COLONY MEMORIAL – It’s time to light it up for the holidays! The annual Christmas tree lighting, hosted by Plymouth Kiwanis, will be held this Friday, Dec. 6, at Town Square.
The evening’s festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Center for the Arts on North Street. Sponsored by Plymouth Bay Cultural District, visitors can enjoy hayrides around town and sing Christmas carols with Americana Theatre Company actors. Younger revelers can get their faces painted by Art on the Spot, as well as inform Santa Claus about their hearts’ desires for Christmas.
At 6 p.m., Santa will lead the parade from Town Hall to Town Square, where the tree will be lit by the jolly old fellow himself at 6:15. Once again, community organizations have provided special decorations to help make the season bright. 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 talk to kids about what’s on their Christmas 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 Town Square. Free hot chocolate will be served at Sam Diego’s Restaurant on Main Street while Blue Blinds Bakery on North Street will serve free cider, coffee and pastry.
Plymouth Police announced the following street closures from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday:
Court Street, Main Street and Main Street Extension from Brewster Street to Water Street
Market Street at Summer Street
Leyden Street at Water Street
South Russell Street at Town Hall
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place beginning at 6 p.m. because of the road race:
Traffic southbound on Court Street will be diverted westbound on Olmstead Terrace
No through traffic from Allerton Street at Clyfton and Vernon streets
No through traffic from Water Street at Brewster and Chilton streets
No southbound traffic on Court Street from Samoset Street
Once again, 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.”
By Dave Kindy
