Christmas comes but once a year. Planning for it, however, is a year round job for the committee members of Mattapoisett’s Christmas in the Park.

“Last year was an incredible turnout. We figure there were a thousand people that went through that event. It’s become a really big, sought after community event,” said Town Administrator Mike Gagne.

The event, which takes place in Shipyard Park, has a tree lighting ceremony, a feast of treats from local restaurants and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Clause. For the December festivities to continue this year, a few upgrades are needed, said Committee Chair Mel Pacheco.

Pacheco, who has planned the event for 27 years, said, “We started off with Santa and two elves. Now we have a park-full.” “That was my goal, that we’d get it to be a big town event, and that’s what it is.”

To keep it going, Pacheco and her team are asking townspeople for donations of the green kind: trees and money.

“Originally, we went with donated trees then we got donations from local tree farms,” said Pacheco, but many local tree farms have closed, so residents are being asked for donations.

Pacheco hopes for at least one 15-foot tree as well as some smaller ones.

New decorations, especially lights and bows are also needed.

“We piecemeal the lights every year to the point that they can’t be piecemealed any more. They’ve become an electrical hazard,” said Pacheco.

She would also like to add a new light display with a Victorian carriage and horse to further improve the event.

On a budget of $500 each year, Pacheco, who is also the Town Administrator’s Assistant, said she doesn’t have the wiggle room to make improvements without help from residents.

“It’s not costing the town a lot of money to put on,” said Pacheco who has a host of volunteers, including many town departments. Local restaurants and clubs also donate time and food and Chase Canopy provides a heated tent for just the cost of labor.

“This is about the children. We’re not doing it for us. We’re doing it for the children,” she said.

Pacheco is hoping to raise $2,000 plus tree donations in the next few months. Donations can be sent to the Treasurer’s office and made out to the Town of Mattapoisett, care of the Christmas in the Park Fund.