43
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .The choir from the Presbyterian Church in Canfield sang for community members on Nov. 30 at the Lighting of the Green event.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Raymond Smith from Dairy Queen in Canfield roasted chestnuts at camp fires outside of the store to give to community members for free on Nov. 30.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Ashton and Hadley Temey sat outside Piccadilly Parlor eating cookies on Nov. 30 for Canfield's annual Lighting of the Green event.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Raymond Smith enjoyed a bowl of ice cream outside of Dairy Queen during Canfield's annual Lighting of the Green.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Horse-drawn carriage rides took community members around the Canfield Green on Nov. 30 for Canfield's annual Lighting of the Green event.
By JESSICA HARKER
The Canfield community came together for the annual Lighting of the Green event on Nov. 30.
Anthony Nacarto, president of the Canfield Rotary and Chairman of the Green Lighting Board, organized the event. It is sponsored by the Rotary and supported by a number of local organizations every year.
Narcarto said this is the first year the board has been able to light the entire green for the event.
“It has always been a dream of mine to light it from end to end,” Narcarto said.
He explained that in 2016 the board was able to raise the money to light the north end, and then in 2017 were able to raise the money to light the south end, culminating in 2018 being the first year the green was able to light fully.
The green is covered with 60 trees that were lit during the event, each sponsored by a different business in Canfield.
“All the trees get sponsored,” Narcarto said. “It’s really through the giving of the community that we are able to do this every year.”
Mayor Richard Duffett and Athletic Director Greg Cooper were present at the beginning of the event.
The choir from Canfield United Methodist Church sang Christmas Carols to kick off the event before the official lighting.
After the lighting, members of the high school band, along with cheerleaders and football players participated in a parade around the green.
Santa Claus rode in on a fire truck during the parade, ending at the Township Hall where he was available to take pictures throughout the night.
Other businesses around the green also offered events throughout the night.
Dairy Queen in Canfield had a magic mailbox where children were able to mail their letters directly to Santa.
They also offered free roasted chestnuts around camp fires for community members to enjoy.
Piccadilly Parlor had cookies available for the community to enjoy, along with horse drawn carriage rides picking up community members for rides outside the store.
Choirs were also located at Canfield United Methodist Church and the library for people to enjoy.
The library also had crafts available for children to enjoy throughout the night.
Narcarto said that the planning for the event every year begins in July after the Christmas in July events. It’s then that the rotary and the board begin to reach out to the community for support and look for sponsors.
“It really has grown every year. It is an amazing event with a lot of community support,” Narcarto said.