The 28th annual Concord Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration will be held Nov. 28 with activities starting at 3:30 p.m.
The lighting of the Christmas lights in downtown Concord on the day after Thanksgiving has been a tradition in the Capital City for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the city street light poles are not decorated like years ago, but City Plaza is decorated with a 35 foot spruce tree thanks to lights purchased by Concord Grange 322 and the nativity scene coordinated by the members of Concord Knights of Columbus and Merrimack County Pomona Grange.
Twenty-eight years ago, Dick Patten who assumed the care of the nativity scene from the Council of Churches and a few years later the Christmas tree, decided to hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The first couple of years a few people came down to sing carols and light the tree and creche.
A few years later, more activities were added thus increasing the people coming to enjoy the evening. The tree lighting is meant for people of all ages to come down to enjoy the music, activities and help start the Christmas season. In 2000, fireworks were added to the petting zoo, horse drawn wagon rides and music by Brian Waldron to make a festive evening. The crowd now numbers in the thousands between the plaza and the area where the fireworks are shot off from.
Santa Claus arrives courtesy of the Concord Fire Department at 5 p.m. A local priest this year will offer the blessing of the Christmas tree and creche at 4:45 p.m. when the creche will be lit. A small Menorah for those celebrating Hanukkah will also be lit.
The countdown to light the tree begins at 5:59 p.m. with the flip of the switch taking place at 6 p.m. The annual Skip Houle Memorial Fireworks Display will shoot off over the city of Concord.
However, donations are needed to help pay for the various activities along with helping the Grange buy more lights needed for the tree. In addition, the Grange also provides lights for a special tree in Eagle Square to honor our military that can’t be home for the holidays. A third tree is located at the intersection of Loudon Road by Airport and Pembroke roads. It is a 40 foot Blue Spruce that was planted by Grange member, the late Arthur Scott. It was a small seedling that didn’t look like it would not last long. However, it has grown into a beautiful tree adorned with colorful lights.
Please help us to keep the celebration going by sending a donation to Dick Patten, made out to the Concord Christmas Tree Lighting, 30 Pinewood Trail, Concord 03301.
The committee still needs to raise about $3,000. Please help keep this tradition alive.
