While you’re always amazed at the job you do of stringing the lights on your Christmas tree each year, there’s probably never a big tadoo like Clark Griswold got.
It’s just not practical to openly invite the community to your house cause it’s likely not as entertaining as you might think. Plus, think about the parking nightmare and all the nasty looks you’d get from your neighbors.
So it’s probably a good thing that Concord, Bow and Penacook host annual tree lightings that save you from having to do all the hard work and planning. Plus this way, you can light your tree for the first time at 3 a.m. in your underwear if you want.
Concord
Concord kicks off the tree lighting festivities this Friday, starting at 4 p.m. in front of the arch at State House Plaza.
It’s been happening for 29 years the day after Thanksgiving and with a newly finished North Main Street as a backdrop, it should be quite the spectacle. Thousands of residents go every year to see the tree lit for the first time and enjoy an evening of holiday fun.
“It’s probably one of the largest tree lightings in the state,” said organizer Dick Patten.
The petting zoo, pony rides and horse drawn carriages actually get going at 3:30 p.m., so if you’re hanging around after Plaid Friday, you can get the party started early.
The Brian Waldron Band will play at 4 p.m. and if you’re curious as to what kind of music to expect, think along the lines of Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
“Strictly Christmas music,” Patten said.
There will be a blessing of the tree and manger, lighting of a Menorah and then at 5 p.m., Santa will arrive thanks to a ride from the Concord Fire Department. Those reindeer only have around a month left till the big night, they’ve got to get their rest.
At 5:59, the countdown will begin for the 35-foot tree to be lit, which hopefully doesn’t repeat what happened in one of the early years with television cameras running.
“Half the tree lit and half the tree didn’t,” Patten said.
Fireworks will be shot off a little after 6 p.m. from the cornfield behind Buffalo Wild Wings.
The event is free and attendees can enjoy hot chocolate, hot cider and plenty of goodies.
“We don’t charge, but we always ask for a $1 donation and that money goes to a charity,” Patten said.
Bow
Head on down to the town bandstand Sunday around 5 p.m. and chances are you’ll see lots of people. This longtime town tradition has become quite popular over the years.
“We’ve been doing this for many, many years,” said organizer Anne-Marie Guertin. “It’s a very nice tradition.”
Can you think of a better way to say hello to the holiday season then free food and drinks and lots of colorful lights. But if you choose to drive down to the festivities, which we would expect to be the case because not a lot of people are going to make that walk from their homes on a Sunday after dark, just remember to park at Bow Memorial/Bow Elementary. There will be shuttles to and from the parking lot starting at 4:30 p.m.
The tree next to the pond used to be the one lit up for the season, but it’s gotten too big so the tree is now donated by a local family. But it’s not just the tree that will be bright and colorful.
“The whole park will be turned on at once,” Guertin said.
The event runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and while the tree lighting is the main attraction, there’s got to be other stuff to keep people entertained for the hour and a half.
That’s why Santa will be making his second appearance in the area in just three days when he gets a lift from the Bow Fire Department in a very special vehicle at 5:15 p.m. Again, those reindeer need their rest. You can take your picture with Santa and ask him to keep an eye out for that extra special letter you wrote – just remember to bring your own camera.
There will be a craft for the kids while waiting to see Santa and a holiday sing-along. There’s even going to be hot chocolate, cookies and smores. And keeping with the holiday spirit, bring a canned good to benefit the Bow Food Pantry.
“We also accept cookie donations,” Guertin said. Make that a dido for us.
Penacook
For many years, there was no official tree lighting in Penacook. There was a tree lit up in the downtown area, but no big celebration.
That is until 10 years ago. Liz Blanchard bought a star for the top of the tree in 2006 in honor of her late husband Alan and a small gathering took place.
And ever since that first year its grown and grown and now a couple hundred people show up.
“It’s gotten to be a real big deal,” Blanchard said.
It’s always on a weekday night, this year taking place Dec. 2 with all kinds of holiday happenings. A Wednesday night has been chosen the last few years to coincide with the libraries extended hours that day.
“We want it shortly after Thanksgiving and we never have done it on the weekend,” Blanchard said.
The tree lighting, organized by the Penacook Village Association, will take place at 6 p.m. after the traditional countdown from 10.
Blanchard’s grand children will serenade audience members with some carolling before the lighting and the Penacook Elementary School chorus will sing some holiday songs as well.
Santa will make an appearance courtesy of the Concord Fire Department at 6:15 p.m. and plans on spending some time with the children of Penacook.
When the tree lighting officially began, a tree planted in town was used, but when that was no longer an option, organizers would go out and find a tree to cut down.
But last year, a pine tree was planted in Boudreau Square and will be strung with lights for a second straight year.
“Eventually it will be a big tree,” Blanchard said. “But it’s there and we don’t have to worry about hunting one down.”
There will be cookies made by cooking classes at Merrimack Valley High School along with other refreshments, like hot chocolate and cider.
The event is free, but donations are accepted to help offset costs.
“It’s a very nice event for Penacook,” Blanchard said.
