Santa Claus counts down from five. Jeff Snider waits for the tree to light.

Text and Photos
By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

NEW PARIS — New Paris kicked off the holiday season by hosting Santa Claus, a cookie walk benefit and a community Christmas tree lighting 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

The cookie walk proceeds benefitted the Fairfield Food Pantry. There was easily over 1,000 cookies, ranging from classic crowd favorites to dietary friendly cookies that were vegan, gluten free and sugar free. For each box purchased, the participant was entered into a raffle to win gift baskets. The boxes were being sold $5 to $10, depending on size. Every penny raised during the cookie walk is being poured right back into the community.

The Christmas tree lighting ceremony began at 5:45 p.m. Micah Lehman kicked off the ceremony by reciting the Christmas Story. Lehman then passed the microphone over to Jeff Snider who led the crowd in the Christmas carol, “Joy To The World.” Santa Claus had the honors of leading the crowd in the countdown to the tree lighting.

To help keep the crowd warm, BSA Troop 12 offered popcorn and hot chocolate.

The event was sponsored by the New Paris Lions Club, downtown merchants, Interra Credit Union, New Paris Tech, community churches and local residents.