Mayor Carlo DeMaria, along with the Everett Chamber of Commerce, welcomed hundreds of residents and community members to the City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Downtown Open House this past Friday night, Nov. 27.
The evening began with Santa Claus arriving on an Everett Fire Truck. Residents were then entertained with traditional Christmas carols by local area groups, such as the Girl Scouts, Zion Church Ministries Choir and Everett High School PopVox Choir, as well as holiday performances by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the cast of Frozen.
Attendees also enjoyed a Winter Wonderland area that included sleigh rides on a real horse and carriage through the square, ice skating, making their own Christmas decorations, a Balloon Twister, and freshly popped popcorn courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce. Children of all ages visited the Everett Co-Op and Eagle Banks to have their pictures taken with Santa and Rudolph while enjoying hot snacks and beverages.
Mayor DeMaria, along with the First Lady, Stacy DeMaria, and their children Carlo, Caroline and Alexandra, officially started Everett’s holiday season by lighting the City’s Christmas tree.
The mayor extended a special thanks to Everett residents, The Colonna Family, of Bradford Street, for donating this year’s City tree. The massive pine tree was planted in their front yard 65 years ago by Rocco and Caterina Colonna, and now stands more than 50 feet tall. The tree is donned with more than 2,000 twinkling lights and decorations, illuminating Everett Square as a beacon of holiday spirit.
“Everett is such a strong comm
unity filled with compassionate and caring people and it really shows during the holiday season,” states Mayor DeMaria, “Every year City officials, businesses, and residents alike join together to celebrate Everett’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. I would like to once again extend the City’s appreciation to the Colonna Family for donating such a beautiful tree, the Everett Chamber of Commerce and City employees for organizing a great event.”