Warmth Amid The Cold At North Webster’s Tree Lighting Festival
Carolers added a special ambiance before the tree lighting ceremony in North Webster Saturday, Nov. 19.
By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — Hundreds of area residents withstood chilled bones and stinging cheeks Saturday, Nov. 19, to attend this year’s highly anticipated tree lighting ceremony in downtown North Webster.
Festivities began in earnest around 5 p.m., about the same time a cold front descended on the area, producing white-out conditions and 25 mph wind gusts that pile drove the wind chill index to 8 degrees, according to records from the National Weather Service station just north of town.
But warmth also abounded and triumphantly had its day. Cloistered groups of comrades chatted and laughed around the several fire pits dotted around downtown and the evening’s revelers flocked into nearby businesses for free chili, hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and neighborly fellowship.
The densest congregation of festivalgoers packed into The River for free hot chocolate and marshmallows, with staffers estimating they handed out more than 500 cups of the wintertime quaff.
Tangibles Resale and Consignment served free helpings of chili and ran out of its 100-plus cup supply well before the official tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. on Pilcher’s lawn.
Silver Bells, a seven-month-old reindeer, made a well-received appearance with his two handlers from North Manchester-based Animal-Grams, Joni Cripe and Colson Beart.
A couple dozen ATVs, most decked out in Yuletide lights, participated in the evening’s light parade at 5:15 p.m., proceeding south on Main Street past pockets of sidewalk spectators braving the brief but frigid cold front onslaught.
The weather took a back seat during the evening of family fun, but ultimately exerted its finality after the tree lighting ceremony. Within 15 minutes after the lighting, the snow-covered sidewalks and Pilcher’s front yard were once again devoid of pedestrians, who hustled back to the warmth of their respective abodes.
Here are some scenes from the event (photos by Ray Balogh):
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- The highlight of the festival was the lighting of the giant Christmas tree on Pilcher’s front lawn. The enthusiastic crowd helped count down to the flipping of the switch.
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- The first-floor display area of Pilcher’s Shoes was devoted solely to a Yuletide theme.
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- The nativity scene on Pilcher’s front lawn displayed the ultimate reason for the season.
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- Sharing the warmth of a fire, good cheer and camaraderie are North Webster residents Suzen Lauber, left, Ben Lauber, Jamel Meerzo, Kingston Meerzo and Dan Hagan.
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- To keep warm on a frigid night, a throng of revelers jammed The River Coffeehouse for complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows.
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- For the young at heart and body, it’s never too cold to throw the football. Shown is 9-year-old Lane Likens preparing to launch a spiral to his friend Reed Henry, also 9.
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- Silver Bells, a seven-month-old reindeer, made an appearance at the North Webster Tree Lighting Festival. He is shown here with his handlers, Joni Cripe, left, and Colson Beart, from Animal-Grams in North Manchester.
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- Socks Marina sponsored an incongruous but eye-catching winter conveyance from its summertime inventory.
