ROCHESTER — The Town of Rochester welcomed the holiday season with its annual tree lighting on Monday, Dec. 5. 

According to Select Board Chair Woody Hartley, this is the first in-person tree lighting the town has held since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020. 

“Things are getting back to normal, in a good way,” said Hartley, who added that this year, Rochester is doing the tree lighting “a little differently.” 

Where normally a choir sings Christmas tunes, this year, everyone in attendance was encouraged to sing. 

Hundreds of people — children, parents, community members and even the Select Board — joined together in song. They belted out Christmas classics like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and O Christmas Tree.

“I don’t sing, I just have no shame,” said Hartley. “I don’t care if I don’t sound great! Enjoy it!”

Logan Bradshaw, 11, had the honor of lighting the Christmas tree this year. He was recognized for winning an art contest after he drew a picture of “Santa riding on [a] fire truck, a [Christmas] tree with part of the town hall in the background.”

At the press of a button the tree lit up with colorful Christmas lights and illuminated the field in front of Rochester Town Hall. 

Bradshaw said he was “excited” to be able to light the tree. 

Following the lighting, Santa Claus and The Grinch rode a fire truck to Town Hall to pose for photos with children and hand out candy canes to the crowd. 

According to Select Board Member Bradford Morse the tree lighting was planned and executed by Administrative Assistant Amanda Baptiste. During the event she donned a festive elf costume and handed out apple cider and hot chocolate to those in attendance. 

“[The tree lighting] brings a lot of people to Town Hall who don’t [normally] come here,” said Hartley, who noted that this is the best turnout he’s seen at this event in years. “They can put a face with a few people like the Town Administrator and all the Selectmen — it brings the community together.”