An Unforgettable Tree Lighting this Year

This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities was bigger and more magical than ever, thanks to all the hard work from volunteers and Town employees, and the continued support and generosity from residents and local businesses.

On Friday, December 1, 2017, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., thousands of Saugus residents gathered outside the Town Hall to ride a trackless train and horse-drawn sleigh, jump in the bounce houses, pet animals, meet Santa, listen to live entertainment and holiday stories, sip hot cocoa, munch on cookies and popcorn, and of course, watch the tree lighting. At 7 p.m., a handful of children joined the giant crowd of residents on the front steps of Town Hall to flip the special switch that lights the Town Tree and all the other Town lights, which included brand-new red and white lights strung along Central Street this year.

Following the lighting, Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves rode up on Santa’s sleigh and spent the rest of the evening greeting the good little girls and boys of Saugus before returning to the North Pole. It was truly a night to remember.

The evening would not have been so memorable without the help of countless volunteers, residents, employees, and businesses.  

I would like to give a special thank you to the Tree Lighting Committee, including Youth and Recreation Programs Coordinator Crystal Cakounes, Youth and Recreation Director Greg Nickolas, School Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith, Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Mitchell, and Chief Administrative Aide Christine Moreschi for their planning and preparations. Without them, the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities would not be able to run.

I would also like to thank all of the generous sponsors, including Wheelabrator, Walmart, American Ambulance, Armstrong Ambulance, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hammersmith Family Restaurant, Big Y, Harrow’s Chicken Pies, TrueVine Church/Saugus Community Events, radio station WROR, and Showcase Cinema de Lux Revere. Your generous contributions made this beloved festival possible.

Thank you to the Town’s Building Maintenance Department and custodians for making the Town Hall and grounds look so sharp.

Thanks to the Department of Public Works for their excellent job in decorating the Town. With the wreaths, banners, lights, and bows, the Town truly looked like a winter wonderland.

My deepest thanks to Electrical Inspector Chris Coviello and the Inspectional Services Department for helping us light up the Town. This year’s lights were more breathtaking than ever before.

Thank you to the Police and Fire Departments for keeping everyone safe by providing officers and firefighters at the event. Thank you to American Ambulance and Armstrong Ambulance for your presence and support.

Thank you to Justin Tabbi of Saugus Emergency Management for his help in setting up the event, and thank you to our DJ, Alex Martino.

I would also like to thank the Saugus Public Library and the readers who volunteered to hold story time for our children, and the School PTOs for providing goodie bags.  

Thank you to the Theatre Company of Saugus and the Saugus High School Band and Chorus for providing wonderful entertainment for the community.

A big thank you to Santa, Mrs. Clause, and Santa’s elves, all of whom broadened the smiles of hundreds of people young and old. Despite being incredibly busy around the holidays, Santa always makes time for the Town of Saugus and we truly appreciate it.

Lastly, I would like to thank the residents of Saugus for their support and tremendous showing. Without all of you, the evening would not be nearly as magical as it is today.

Thank you to everyone else that I may have forgotten.

Next, I look forward to the Christmas Eve parade on Thursday, December 24, 2017. We hope to see you all there!

Very truly yours,

Scott C. Crabtree, Esq.

Town Manager