Marblehead Christmas tree bonfire canceled

MARBLEHEAD – If you’re buying a tree for the holidays ahead, you’ll have to dispose of it in January.One of the town’s most popular traditions, the epiphany eve Christmas tree bonfire, has been canceled due to the Marblehead Causeway seawall replacement project.The bonfire usually takes place at Riverhead Beach on the 11th evening after Christmas, and attracts large crowds.Recreation, Parks and Forestry Superintendent Thomas Hamond has informed the selectmen that the ongoing construction project has created a shortage of float storage space, leaving the department with no safe place to hold the bonfire.Instead, residents will have to take their trees to the town transfer station for proper disposal, or leave them out for curbside trash pickup.Pickup will commence Wednesday, Jan. 2, and continue through Friday, Jan. 11, depending on weather, available staff and equipment.