Pittsfield Parks Light Up With Memorial, Holiday EventsBy Joe Durwin, Pittsfield Correspondent
05:14PM / Sunday, November 23, 2014 | |
 The crowd gathers at the 2012 tree lighting at Park Square. This year's event is Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown open spaces will be brightened with seasonal cheer and commemoration of loved ones at a variety of upcoming December events.
The city's 2014 Christmas tree will be installed in Park Square this Tuesday, to be followed by its annual lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.
"The deadline was extended, but we did find a tree," Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Manship told the city's Parks Commission.
As in past years, Manship said the event will feature caroling by the Taconic High School chorus, with Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive following the lighting of the tree. Free hot chocolate will be provided by Patrick's Pub, and attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to local food pantries.
The following weekend will see another tree lighting, at the Veterans Memorial Park off South Street, an annual tradition organized by Dwyer Funeral Home.
Residents are invited to bring an ornament of their own to commemorate a lost loved one, or choose from ornaments that will be provided, at the ceremony scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event is intended to celebrate all loved ones, and is not limited to families of veterans.
"It's a great community event," said Robert Dwyer. "Everyone is welcome."
The following night, Park Square will grow even brighter, as local representatives of the Compassionate Friends network participate in a worldwide annual candle lighting event.
"It is the largest candle-lighting ceremony on the globe," said organizer Robin Burnell. "Creating a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone.
"As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and honor the memory of all children gone too soon," according to Burnell, who says she became involved with the organization following the death of her son in a car accident two years ago.
According to the Compassionate Friends website, the event originated in 1997, and now in its 18th year includes hundreds of larger formal events and thousands more informal lightings in homes around the world. All participating candle lightings are held at 7 p.m. in each time zone; Burnell said the Pittsfield event will be held rain or shine.
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