MATTAPOISETT — The town’s tree lighting ceremony has been cancelled and replaced with a pared down version of the program.

Selectmen raised concerns about the weather, with 25 mile per hour winds predicted. Melody Pacheco, the assistant to the Town Administrator, noted that the town had asked a lot of vendors to donate, and she didn’t want there to be a low turnout for then because of the weather.

Selectmen noted that they had never had a rain date for the event.

Paul Silva suggested that if they were to set a rain date for next weekend, that someone at least go and light the tree ahead of time, so it could be enjoyed before Christmas.

Though Selectmen speculated that the weather could be nice and not rain, Pacheco pointed out that it would still be muddy, which would make the event harder to hold.

Selectmen decided that Jordan Collyer and his children will light the tree at 6 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 15, but there will be no food, characters or other aspects of the event. It will just be the tree lighting.

While Selectmen were disappointed to cancel the event, “everyone’s safety is the most important part,” Silva said.