Sadie Small, age 7, expresses how she felt about North Webster’s holiday kickoff event after the 45 foot tall evergreen was lit. The town tree is located on Pilcher Shoes lawn, SR 13, downtown.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council President Lisa Strombeck said, “It felt like a Hallmark movie. I want to thank the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce and the local businesses that participated on behalf of the town council. Also thanks to the street department for hanging the lights and banners. What a great turnout!”

She was referring to the revival of the town’s tree lighting event hosted by the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Saturday evening, Nov. 23. After an absence of two years, the chamber committee headed by Vice President Amanda Meerzo, Mohawk Pier & Lift, worked diligently to make a two-hour event happen. Other committee members were Elise Guy, Guy’s Lawn Care, and Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations Floral & Gifts.

The crowd wandered from business to business to stay warm before the Christmas tree lighting on Pilcher Shoe’s lawn in front of the downtown castle at 6 p.m. Sue’s Creations was open from 4 to 6 p.m. Cider and cookies were served and roses could be purchased for $1 each plus other discounts. Face painting by Renea Sckggs was located here and many a reindeer was noted in the crowd. North Webster Ace Hardware provided free popcorn at Sue’s. Out front, Ashley Ward and Nathan Ries served jerky samples. They are opening a new business Jerky Jerks in Syracuse in the not too distant future.

Tangibles Resale & Consignment served free chili and donuts beginning at 4:30 p.m. provided by Oswalt Family Bakery and Cafe. Subway also furnished cookies for decorating at the local furniture and home accessories store. Roll-n-Smoke Food Truck offered a full menu to eager customers while Judy’s De Ja Vu and Pilcher Shoes also offered discounts and a drawing.

Mohawk Pier and Lift donated hot chocolate, which was served at The River Coffeehouse while supplies lasted. AK Hare Co. had candy canes for all outside The River and Guy’s Lawn Care provided the candles for caroling. A fire pit was a popular hot spot in front of The River.

While all this was happening, local musicians Mike Beezley and Anna Gibson entertained with songs and led the crowd in carols. The tree was lit after remarks from Meerzo. Brand new LED white, mini-lights covered the 45 feet. These were placed by chamber volunteers and a T-Square volunteer workman using the company’s huge crane. It was a five-hour job to put the lights on the tree.

Other decor provided by the chamber includes a life size Nativity scene and a Santa Claus sleigh with elves. More Christmas trees will soon be added to the lawn.

The chamber, the town of North Webster and Phil and Karilyn Metcalf are responsible for giving the winter banners. The town provided new snowflakes for the lampposts last year. The town’s street department is in charge of hanging the banners and putting up the lighted snowflakes.

Many comments of appreciation were heard from the crowd, who were happy to see this event return in an expanded form. The consensus seemed to be it was a great way to kick off the holiday season in North Webster.