Holiday happiness filled The Loop last month, as several hundred visitors took part in the city’s tree-lighting event.
In addition to train rides, pony rides, games and food trucks, the event featured carol-singing by the Tenney Middle School Chorus as well as some Methuen High singers. A variety of characters – ranging from a pair of Grinches and Frosty the Snowman to a Gingerbread Man, Mickey Mouse and super-tall Toy Soldier – engaged with guests of all ages and posed for loads of photos. The Victorian Carolers – women in bonnets and hoop skirts and a man in a top hat and tails – worked in harmony filling the air with classic Christmas songs.
Santa rolled into town on a Methuen Fire Department truck and was swarmed by youngsters as he made his way to the stage.
Santa’s message, in part:
“Alright, Methuen!
We gather together
And not all the time.
But today we do
So let’s be kind.
Take care of one another,
Be each other’s keeper.
We’re all we got!”
Mayor DJ Beauregard led the countdown, and the crowd erupted when the 30-foot-tall spruce’s lights went aglow!
With the tree lit, singers exiting the stage, the horse owners packing up their ponies and the crowd dispersing, Rec Director Steve Angelo told MethuenLife, “It was a great turnout and the tree looks amazing! It’s perfect.” He capped off his comment with a yawn, noting the he’s been going non-stop for weeks – “It’s the end of my busy season!”
Time for him to get an early start on that long winter’s nap that Santa looks forward to after HE delivers all his goodies too!
Methuen’s tree will remain lit until the week after New Year’s.
Brightly bundled-up Maya Martin, 4, is eager for a visit from Santa!
The festive celebration gave Jake Santos (center), 16, a lift … with a little help from Martin Gutierrez, 15, and Ariana Smith, 16.
Santa conducts members of the Tenney Middle School Chorus as they wrap up their performance.
The Victorian Carolers, from Big Smile Entertainment, belt out “Deck the Halls!”
