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Santa helps light up the Canfield Green
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Canfield Mayor Bill Kay prepared to flip the switch to light the Green.
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Attendees of the annual Lighting of the Green ceremony warmed up at Piccadilly Parlour with hot chocolate and sweet treats. Many were waiting for a carriage ride around the Green.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of the Canfield High School Interact Club provided a live nativity next to the gazebo for the annual Lighting of the Green ceremony Nov. 27.
By ABBY SLANKER
With Santa’s sleigh undergoing preparations for its annual flight, the jolly old elf used a different means of travel when he visited the children in Canfield on Nov. 27. Hitching a ride on a Canfield Fire Department fire truck, Santa greeted the crowds at Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green ceremony.
Hosted by the Canfield Rotary Club, the lighting of the Green tradition marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
The evening’s festivities included caroling, a live nativity, carriage rides, hot chocolate, refreshments and a visit with Santa.
Anthony Nacarato, community chairperson of the Canfield Rotary Club, kicked off the ceremony by welcoming everyone to the event, including Mayor Bill Kay and township trustees. He thanked the mayor, the city and the Parks Department for preparing the Green for the event.
Nacatato then handed him the “switch” and the Green was glowing.
Pastor Larry Bowald of the Canfield Presbyterian Church played the guitar and led the crowd in singing Christmas carols and Reverend Jay Eastman of the Canfield Christian Church offered a prayer. Attendees were handed little candles, and while singing “Silent Night,” were asked to share their flame with a fellow citizen.
Members of the Canfield High School band, including Matt Stevens on the trumpet, Spencer Saylor on the baritone, Aly Saleh on the trombone and Scott McMurray on the trumpet, provided music for the event.
Members of the Canfield High School Interact Club provided a live nativity next to the gazebo.
After the ceremony was over, Nacarato encouraged attendees to visit Piccadilly Parlour for hot chocolate, sweet treats and live music while waiting for a carriage ride, which was stationed outside the restaurant.
He also told all the children that Santa was waiting for them in the Township Hall and refreshments were also being served there.
Several local merchants, including Nemenz IGA, Farmers National Bank, Dr. Pamela Barkett, Something New Florist, Canfield Inner Circle Pizza, Giannios Candy Company, Piccadilly Parlour, Whitehouse Fruit Farm and Tony Larriccia provided sponsorship the event.
Stupka Tree Farm donated eight trees to be lit on the Green and Best Carriage Rides provided the carriage rides.