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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School One Octave Higher choir, under the direction of Kelly Scurich, performed holiday songs at the Canfield library during the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green on Dec. 1.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Santa Claus arrived in style to the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green in a horse-drawn sleigh on Dec. 1.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield Green, including the gazebo and a number of trees, was glowing and was flooded in Christmas lights and decorations after being lit up during the Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green on Dec. 1.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield Rotary hosted its annual Lighting of the Green, which not only featured the Green lit up with holiday lights, but also a grand entrance by Santa Claus on Dec. 1.
Santa Claus arrived in style in a horse-drawn sleigh, with an escort from the Canfield Joint Fire District.
In addition to a visit and photos with Santa at the Township Hall, the event featured horse-drawn carriage rides and cookies, cocoa and live music at Piccadilly Parlour. Canfield elementary school choirs performed at the Canfield United Methodist Church, with the Canfield High School One Octave Higher choir and Canfield Village Middle School Canfield Cambiata performing at the Canfield library.
Attendees could also enjoy a tour of the War Veterans Museum and the Mahoning Dispatch. Oh WOW Children’s Center was also at the library.
Anthony Nacarato, Lighting of the Green chairman, welcomed the crowd, which included Canfield Mayor Bernie Kosar Sr., Canfield Township Trustee Marie Cartwright, City of Canfield Council President Don Dragish Jr., council members Joe LoCicero and John Morvay and newly elected council member Christine Oliver and Pastor Ed Allen of Canfield Christian Church.
“Good evening and welcome. This is a fantastic crowd and I am happy to see everyone out here tonight. I have been the chairman of the Rotary‘s Lighting of the Green for 11 years. When we started, we lit one tree and just look at what we have grown this event into. The one reason the event has grown is because of the people of this community. Our very special local businesses and individuals have helped us grow throughout the years and have helped us raise nearly $15,000 to allow us to extend our lighting to the North end of the Green. WE have added 32 trees to make it even more spectacular this year,” Nacarato said as he welcomed the crowd.
Mayor Kosar also welcomed everyone to the event.
“I‘d like to ask you to give a round of applause for Anthony. You can just see the passion he puts into this event. Welcome to everyone and thank you for coming out. Be sure to check out the North Green with all the new lights,” Kosar said.
Pastor Allen then addressed the large crowd and led a prayer.
“Light shines around us, through us and within us. This is the season is Advent and the season of Christmas. Take the time to enjoy it,” Allen said.
After a countdown, the Green was glowing and flooded in Christmas lights and decorations. Nacarato and Allen then led everyone in singing “Jingle Bells.”
After the lighting, Santa arrived at the Green in a horse drawn carriage with an escort from the Cardinal Joint Fire District fire truck and proceeded to the Township Hall to greet the children and have his picture taken with all of them, much to their delight.
Event sponsors included Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods, The Woodlands (Austinwoods), Boak and Sons, Komara Jewelers/Komara Family and Key Bank. From the Heart Florist decorated the tree in the gazebo.
“Thank you to our local companies who helped make this event such a success,” Nacarato said.