Hundreds of people – young and old – soaked up the holiday vibes filling the air at The Loop last month!
While the event’s official title was “Methuen Tree-Lighting,” this night was so much more! Guests enjoyed everything from train, sleigh and pony rides to selfies with holiday characters and outdoor games – all for free! Following a performance of holiday classics by Methuen Public Schools’ Districtwide Chorus, featuring third- to eighth-graders, Santa made his grand entrance in the bucket of a Methuen fire truck. The crowd went wild as he was slowly lowered to the ground level.
Acting Mayor DJ Beauregard led the countdown to light the city’s extraordinary Christmas tree – a nearly 30-foot blue spruce donated by the Barnacle family (see related story).
Thank you to the Recreation Department and the DPW for all their behind-the-scenes work for this terrific community event!
-
- Welcoming winter during Methuen’s popular Christmas tree-lighting at The Loop are (from left) cousins Raizel Tineo, 11, and Mirayah Campbell, 10, with Gina the Snow Queen.
-
- Santa rolls into The Loop aboard a Methuen fire truck, while acknowledging the roar of the crowd.
-
- Enjoying the festive vibe are Han Nguyen and her daughter Milani, 2½.
-
- Mia Cruz, 12, cruises through The Loop with her light-up bike, which she did herself!
-
- Prior to the tree-lighting, the crowd enjoyed everything from train rides and sleigh rides to outdoor games and mingling with holiday characters. Here, Finley Clark, 4, was all smiles during her free pony ride, courtesy of J&J Ponies. Finley also giggled when she learned that the horse, Penelope, has the same name as Finley’s big sister!
-
- You couldn’t miss Christmas-loving Claudio Aresenio, whose truck is decked out in thousands of lights as well as decorations inside and outside of the vehicle. The real show is his 5 Bradford Drive home in Salem, N.H., where he estimates he’s got at least 75,000 lights boosting his electric bill.
-
- The Grinch and the un-Grinchy Isabella Antigua, 8, pose for a photo.
