O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum: Rochester tree lighting kicks off Christmas
Santa poses with Isla Durant infront of his temporary sleigh-car. Photos by Mari Huglin
Santa, the Grinch and carolers join together to sing.
The Rochester Christmas tree was lit for all to see.
Santa says hello to children.
3 girls smile as they enjoy the festivities.
Crafting equipment to make ornaments was avaliable for use.
Kids waited to say hello to Santa.
Letters to Santa were a popular evening activity.
Santa chats with some more kids.
Two friends pose as they share the Christmas spirit.
Rochester Police Chief Assad and Pastor Colby Olson watch as the tree is about to be lit.
Kids and parents joined in the festivities enjoying cookies, crafts and hot coco.
Santa arrives in a classic automobile to bring Christmas cheer.
The Grinch made a surprise appearance in Rochester.
Adam Murphy tells children about the annual Christmas Tree lighting.
One child smiles excited for the tree to be lit.
Kids pose in front of the lit tree.
Santa poses with Isla Durant infront of his temporary sleigh-car. Photos by Mari Huglin
Santa, the Grinch and carolers join together to sing.
The Rochester Christmas tree was lit for all to see.
Santa says hello to children.
3 girls smile as they enjoy the festivities.
Crafting equipment to make ornaments was avaliable for use.
Kids waited to say hello to Santa.
Letters to Santa were a popular evening activity.
Santa chats with some more kids.
Two friends pose as they share the Christmas spirit.
Rochester Police Chief Assad and Pastor Colby Olson watch as the tree is about to be lit.
Kids and parents joined in the festivities enjoying cookies, crafts and hot coco.
Santa arrives in a classic automobile to bring Christmas cheer.
The Grinch made a surprise appearance in Rochester.
Adam Murphy tells children about the annual Christmas Tree lighting.
One child smiles excited for the tree to be lit.
Kids pose in front of the lit tree.
ROCHESTER — The Grinch crashed Rochester’s Christmas tree lighting but couldn’t stop the fun and festivities with Santa and an over 40-year-old tradition.
Family, friends and neighbors gathered at Rochester Congregational Church Sunday, Nov. 30 to light the Rochester town Christmas tree, write letters to Santa and share holiday cookies.
Kami Medieros, Sarah Paiva and the Rochester Events Committee organized the event. The Committee was created in March with plans to celebrate Rochester all year long.
“The event itself, the tree lighting, has always been a tradition,” Paiva said. “The community comes together, we sing, we do some caroling and then we light the tree.”
Paiva said the Rochester Tree Lighting is one of her favorite Rochester traditions, because it it welcomes and grows the community.
“It's getting the community out, getting all of us together. A lot of us are born and raised here so it's a nice place that we all come back to be together,” Paiva said.
Carolers gathered together to sing and take pictures with Santa and the Grinch.
When asked who she preferred, 8-year-old Emilia Durant said she liked the Grinch better than Santa because the Grinch “gave us presents.” “It's cool and my dad works here. I got to help and I like to help,” she said.
Emilia was most excited for the tree to be lit and said her favorite holiday tradition is when her mom bakes cinnamon rolls. Emilia also helped set the event up earlier in the day.
“Then I helped get rid of the cookies,” she said with a smile on her face.
For Christmas she hopes to get a new iPhone case and anything Stitch, the alien from the Disney movie “Lilo & Stitch,” themed.
Pastor Colby Olson said he was excited to build community and remind Rochester of the importance of bringing people together during the winter season.
“It's always important to bring the community together and be able to share different experiences, particularly during Christmas,” Olson said.
Olson said laughing together and supporting each other is important.
“It's really beautiful when people gather as families and enjoy the time together and share those social moments, and even as a community — being able to gather and talk about things, to work through life together,” Olson said.
Medieros and Paiva said they hope to grow the ceremony next year, and engage more Rochester residents.
“I'm hoping in the future to make it much bigger and make it a weekend ordeal,” Medieros said. “We're looking for recommendations from folks."
