The event stretched to Holyoke Heritage State Park and included visits with Santa Claus on a train.
Looking at the just-illuminated Christmas tree Friday night at the annual tree lighting ceremony in Chicopee center are, from left, Jaclyn A. Gewinner, Gianna L. Goodreau, 2½, Anthony M. Carvalho, 7, Kaden S. Bertolasio, 6, and Scott J. Goodreau. The festivities included music, food and Santa Claus.HOLYOKE – Hundreds of adults and children packed the front of City Hall on Friday for the lighting of a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree.
The event stretched to Holyoke Heritage State Park and included visits with Santa Claus on a train, rides on the Merry Go Round, choirs singing “Jingle Bells” and other tunes and one guy dressed as Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer.
Chicopee also held a tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall, along with Chicopee Electric Light’s “Buddy Brite” character.
In South Hadley, a holiday tree lighting on the Town Common was a featured part of the annual “holiday stroll” that included events at the Gaylord Memorial Library on Route 116.
Easthampton also was scheduled to have its annual holiday stroll from the Maple Street School through the downtown with holiday songs and visits with Santa Claus.
In Amherst, revelers were to gather for the annual lighting of the Merry Maple on the Town Common downtown, with a performance by the high school chorus, visits with Santa and hayrides.