Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Last Tuesday at the Shorewood Towne Center, the annual Shorewood Tree Lighting ceremony took place.
Christmas carols, a surprise visit from Santa and the lighting of the 36-foot tall tree were all displayed for the residents of Shorewood.
“I love the nice cold weather, the beautiful lights and the feeling of joy and singing songs,” said Shorewood resident Renee King. “It’s amazing to see such a tall and majestic tree like that light up, it’s just apart of what Christmas is about and I love coming out every year to support the town that I am a resident of.”
Shorewood Mayor Rick Chapman speaks at Tree Lighting Ceremony kicking off Christmas carols. (Photo by Ryan Ostry)
The event got underway at 6 p.m. with plenty of residents supporting their town in the 20-degree weather.
Kids gravitated around a surprise visit from Santa, who led the way in Christmas carols encouraging everyone to sing along.
Shorewood Mayor Rick Chapman was at the event, encouraging residents to stick around for the tree lighting, as well as stopping in the Towne Center for more sights of Christmas trees that were lit up.
Another resident, Carly Forneris, said that seeing the lit up Christmas tree with 3,000 lights is her and her families way to kick off the start of the holiday season.
“We do this every year, it’s a wonderful family tradition that we all enjoy doing,” Forneris said. “It’s actually a neighborhood annual event as well, with all the families and children here it really makes you feel good and truly says what Christmas is all about.”
Forneris all gave credit to the families of Shorewood, giving out trees for the city, and the atmosphere of the event showing that people truly care a lot about this holiday.
“The beautiful tree, the beautiful lights and I’m speechless at the fact these families bring trees in for our Shorewood, it’s truly amazing,” Forneris said. “I feel like it’s so important for people to have come out tonight like they did because we need so much Christmas spirit, with all of the negative things that happen in the world, for one night everyone is happy. Santa is here so you really just can’t go wrong with this.”
The Shorewood tree lighting ceremony of 2018 marked its 3rd annual event, with hopes of many more to come if it is up to Forneris.
“I hope that this continues every year, and to see all these people continue to come out and support the event and our city,” Forneris said. “This is such an important time of year, this event kicks off our family’s holiday joy and it seems to do so for all of the other families here tonight as well.”