The Town of Salisbury’s Annual Lighting of the Tree is scheduled for December 3rd and is set to draw a crowd. The event itself is rich in tradition as are the stories that follow. Sometimes it might feel like our very own Hallmark Movie. The event, co-hosted with the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, is sponsored by the Institution for Savings and all the Common's Beautiful lighting has been provided by Breezeline. Salisbury’s quaint Town Common provides the most picturesque location to kick off the season. Those that attend will enjoy singing along with Victorian Carolers, Salisbury Elementary Band and Chorus performances, a horse drawn wagon ride, character visits, EPIC snowball fight, cookies & cocoa provided by the Institution for Savings, historical tours, East Parish Reception, toy collection, and of course a visit and selfie opportunities with SANTA!
As the two groups work together, stories are told, wishes are made, and sleeves are rolled up to bring you the best Lighting of the Tree yet. For a town of under 10k, we pack quite a punch! We may be a small town, but there is nothing small about the celebration we are about to have. The names are familiar, and the tradition runs deep. The tree is to be lit the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving at 6:15pm (events start at 4pm). For over 40 years, DPW Foreman, Ray Cote, has been in charge of the tree and she’s absolutely spectacular. The 50 foot plus evergreen is covered in THOUSANDS of hand turned led colored bulbs. Research of all the years past has been done in hopes to honor all the traditions before us and of course, to add a few of our own. The event has seen a number of changes over the years: trees have been cut, trees have been donated, and lit in honor of the Board of Trade President (now called the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce), Arlene Dow, to the years of efforts led by the Chamber’s Maria Miles with trees donated from Lions Club sales, with the Chamber. The tree that the town currently lights was planted decades ago by the Bishop Family in memory of their dad, Fred Bishop. This year’s, like the so many before, the community will gather together around the tree, our elementary school band & chorus will perform, and the clergy will lead the countdown as they have in all the years past … after the tree is lit everyone is invited to gather in the Rose Room at the 185 year Old East Parish Church for a reception. In addition to all the old traditions, the event will see some new ones. In all the ebbs and flows of this event, one thing is always constant: the heart and soul, love & support for our little community, and the want to share this specialness together. All the events are free, but if you are able to please bring an unwrapped gift(s) or a donation made payable to Santa’s Helper Charitable Foundation.
Reach out [email protected]
As the two groups work together, stories are told, wishes are made, and sleeves are rolled up to bring you the best Lighting of the Tree yet. For a town of under 10k, we pack quite a punch! We may be a small town, but there is nothing small about the celebration we are about to have. The names are familiar, and the tradition runs deep. The tree is to be lit the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving at 6:15pm (events start at 4pm). For over 40 years, DPW Foreman, Ray Cote, has been in charge of the tree and she’s absolutely spectacular. The 50 foot plus evergreen is covered in THOUSANDS of hand turned led colored bulbs. Research of all the years past has been done in hopes to honor all the traditions before us and of course, to add a few of our own. The event has seen a number of changes over the years: trees have been cut, trees have been donated, and lit in honor of the Board of Trade President (now called the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce), Arlene Dow, to the years of efforts led by the Chamber’s Maria Miles with trees donated from Lions Club sales, with the Chamber. The tree that the town currently lights was planted decades ago by the Bishop Family in memory of their dad, Fred Bishop. This year’s, like the so many before, the community will gather together around the tree, our elementary school band & chorus will perform, and the clergy will lead the countdown as they have in all the years past … after the tree is lit everyone is invited to gather in the Rose Room at the 185 year Old East Parish Church for a reception. In addition to all the old traditions, the event will see some new ones. In all the ebbs and flows of this event, one thing is always constant: the heart and soul, love & support for our little community, and the want to share this specialness together. All the events are free, but if you are able to please bring an unwrapped gift(s) or a donation made payable to Santa’s Helper Charitable Foundation.
Reach out [email protected]
