By Eliza Hallabeck, Kendra Bobowick, and John Voket

Community gatherings had friends and family join together for three consecutive evening tree lighting events, starting Friday, December 2, with the 32nd Annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Ceremony. The 16th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Sandy Hook Center followed on Saturday, December 3, and on Sunday, December 4, the 7th Annual Hawleyville Tree Lighting culminated the weekend.

Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Committee members and Newtown Parks & Recreation department members helped set up roughly 2,200 luminarias, donated by Curtis Packaging, around Ram Pasture and local streets ahead of the event Friday, lighting the way to Ram Pasture. A bit of rain cleared in time for Newtown Chamber of Commerce President Tim Haas and Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Committee Chair Diana Johnson to welcome all in attendance and introduce the night's performances at the 32nd Annual Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Dancers from the Lathrop School of Dance began the evening's performances. The group was followed by performances by the Newtown High School a capella group XY Chromotones, dancers from the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance, and the NHS Singers, led by NHS Choral Director Jane Matson.

After the singers sang "Silent Night," Ms Johnson and Mr Haas said together, "Are you ready to light the tree?" John Reed, former superintendent of schools, and his family members Christina Reed, Chloe Rey, Haley Rey, Liz Rey, and Ashley Reed threw the switch lighting up both trees this year. Moments later, Santa and Mrs Claus made their entrance to greet children, with candy canes at the ready. Many families swarmed near the famous couple for a chance for children to sit, share hopes for the season, and take photos.

Sandy Hook Tree Lightings

Two trees shine their cheery light again in Sandy Hook Center, following the 16th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Sandy Hook Center, Saturday.

With hundreds of residents crowding street corners near the intersection of Glen Road, Church Hill Road, Washington Avenue, and Riverside Road, sounds of caroling faded and a countdown began. Sliding backwards from ten, by the time many raised voices shouted number one, the tree on the Glen next to Sabrina Style burst with a rainbow of lights. Seconds later a newer tree across the street lit up with green and white sparkling bulbs and a cheer rose with the display.

Between 4 and 6 pm, when the trees' lights washed across upturned faces, Old St Nick, stepping momentarily away from his North Pole headquarters, rested on the steps outside the Sandy Hook Hair Company. Young Leah Butler was soon smiling beside his snow-white beard. A line of parents and children quickly grew with hopes of a chance to whisper wishes in Santa's ear. Callie Jeanfaivre and her children Isabelle and Emmet were next at his side.

With hot cocoa in hand and reindeer antlers jingling in their hair, friends Sarah Bertsche and Sami Delgiudice stepped onto the sidewalk where a decorated spruce tree brightened the stoop.

Wearing their own festive decorations were Karin Aurelia, Debbie Aurelia Halstead, and two giggling little girls, Emma Guilfoil and Sophia Blanar. Crowding in for a picture together with them were Susan Blanar, Wendy Aurelia, and Eilish Baldwin. Michael Porco, Jr, carried his 9-month-old daughter Evelyn whose eyes were bright as she watched the festive bustle flow around her.

Around the corner on Washington Avenue, in front of Sabrina Style, was another merry huddle of friends - Alice Coolbaugh, Lauren Meyer, Giovanna Lindquist, and Katelynn Clark, their eyes bright with the colorful lights.

Just 20 feet away on another street corner was Joe Fiorini with his daughter Molly perched on his shoulders. He and his wife, Jessica, brought her out Saturday evening to join the many other families with their attention now turned toward the holiday season.

The 16th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Sandy Hook Center began at 4 pm when Santa arrived from the North Pole via a Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue truck at 5 pm, welcoming children to share their Christmas wishes. A decorated mailbox also beckoned children to bring their letters to Santa. They will be delivered straight to the North Pole. The mailbox, according to Sandy Hook Hair Co. owner Bonnie Fredericks, will remain at the Church Hill Road salon until December 15. Letters dropped off by that time, with return addresses, will give Santa time to respond before Christmas.

Faith at Newtown again offered a Live Nativity scene in the parking lot outside their gathering place, the lower level of 4 Riverside Road.

The event was coordinated by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP).

Three Trees For Hawleyville

Maybe it was the last of three local appearances in as many days here in Newtown, but Santa and Mrs Claus appeared fresh and well-rested as they pulled up in front of Papa Al's pizzeria for the 7th Annual Hawleyville Tree Lighting event just after dark on Sunday, December 4. The event, adjacent to the neighborhood post office, was sponsored by the Stony Hill Four Corners Business Association.

For a number of years, Stony Hill association organizers have enlisted the cooperation of the Hawleyville and neighboring Stony Hill (Bethel) volunteer fire companies to conduct two tree lighting events. The Bethel event, which occurred November 21, also served as a pre-Thanksgiving food donation collection point - while the Hawleyville event was a Toys For Tots collection site.

Stony Hill volunteers also lent support at the Hawleyville event, assisting with traffic control while one of the local fire trucks was tapped to chauffeur the red-suited guests of honor to the tree lighting.

Entertainment included thematic dance routines by Keira Maddox, Allysa Wright, Shannon Fallon, and Kylie Maddox representing Dance, Etc, and a sing-along featuring Ms Wright, Quinlyn Kessler, Lola Kessler, Aubrey Wright, Abigail Rivas, and Tessa Treglia. Then, Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, and Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker welcomed those in attendance and counted down to the lighting of three trees, representing the three tree lighting events that occur in succession the first weekend of each December.

As MC and Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket led the crowd in a rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," a festively lit Hawleyville fire truck carrying Santa and Mrs Claus pulled up to greet approximately 100 families whose children then patiently waited their turn to visit while enjoying cocoa, fire engine gingerbread cookies from Donna Ball, and complimentary slices of pizza from the staff at Papa Al's.