Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Scheduled For December 2

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Newtown Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting, Friday evening, December 2.

Newtown residents, their friends, and families are invited to follow the lines of luminarias lighting the way from Main Street to Elm Drive, and around Hawley Pond, and gather beneath the spreading branches of the two town Christmas trees, at the pasture’s edge.

Not everyone is in walking distance of the pasture, though, so Newtown school bus operator LeReine Frampton, in conjunction with Newtown Parks and Recreation, will provide shuttle service from 6 pm to 9 pm. Park at either Liberty baseball grounds on Elm Drive or at Dickinson Park, and the shuttle will loop around to collect riders and drop them off on Hawley Road at Ram Pasture. There is no charge for the shuttle bus.

Beginning at 6:30 pm, Union Savings Bank employees will be handing out delicious holiday cookies, and employees of People’s United Bank will be pouring cups of apple cider. 

The Newtown High School Singers will lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols, as well as present special selections. They may not be the Rockettes — yet — but members of the Newtown High School Dance Team will add to the festivities, with high-kicking dance numbers.

Then, get ready for the 7 pm countdown, when a surprise guest of honor will throw the switch, lighting the tallest and oldest of the trees, first, and then the smaller tree.

The Ram Pasture Tree Lighting provides an opportunity for friends and families to cherish the picture postcard beauty of the town as it settles into the holiday spirit. While teens and adults admire the newly illuminated trees, little children will be delighted to find that Santa and Mrs Claus have arrived. Children are invited to share their holiday wishes and receive a candy cane from the jovial couple, seated in a nearby sleigh.

 “We are very grateful to the Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission for purchasing the energy efficient, colored LED lights that are on the big tree,” said chamber member Janet Woycik. “We are also very appreciative for the efforts of the Newtown Highway Department, and to Eric Neidhardt and Stan Perone, for putting up the lights on both trees. The town police and fire departments are always so supportive, too,” said Ms Woycik.

“The tree lighting at Ram Pasture is always a nice way to start the holiday season,” Ms Woycik added.