| BERLIN — Residents will get to see Santa light the tree in Veterans Memorial Park again this year thanks to the Berlin fire departments.
“Traditions around here are important,” said Andy Hrubiec, assistant chief of the South Kensington department and chair of the event committee. “They’re hard to sustain with everyone’s busy schedules.”
The annual tree lighting almost didn’t happen this year after local group Raising Berlin could not commit to the event. The committee of Berlin mothers had been getting the community together to light the tree since 2009.
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Members of the group were unable to be contacted at the time of this article.
“We didn’t want the kids to go without it,” said Chief Jim Simons, Berlin fire administrator.
The fire departments have actively participated and assisted in past years, but this year they decided to take the reins.
Kids will once again be able to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as get their faces painted by Berlin High School UpBeat students. There will also be balloon animals, music by the high school, and an appearance by a K-9 police dog.
Hot chocolate will be provided by the Kiwanis club, and local businesses will be donating holiday cookies and treats.
While this year will be similar to Raising Berlin’s past tree lighting events, Simons said big changes are potential for the future.
“We plan on making it bigger,” he said.
The fire departments are looking at adding a torch parade with Christmas themed floats and decorated fire trucks. He said torch parades are held at tree lighting events by the shore.
Under Raising Berlin, the event has grown every year. The fire departments are hoping it continues to expand.
Several members of Raising Berlin will still be on hand to assist. There will be a toy drive and a “Fill the Boot” where monetary donations will be given to Berlin veterans.
The tree lighting kicks off Saturday, Nov. 26, at 430 p.m.
Santa will light the tree at 5 p.m. Kids can then meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 515 p.m. to 630 p.m.
“The kids need this, we need this,” said Simons. “We need something this good in our lives.” |
