Saugus Tree Lighting tonight, 7 p.m.

SAUGUS – The annual tree-lighting ceremony in Saugus Center tonight is going to one for the ages, said Town Manager Scott Crabtree.Crabtree said he and the planning committee will be going all out this year, with a horse-drawn hayride, a petting zoo and a trackless train.”This year we’ve really expanded this and want to really bring the community together, and make it more interactive and social for all ages,” said Crabtree. “I think part of it is an overall theme that the Board of Selectmen and myself share to expand some of the celebrations and the community events that help bring the community together. Next year we may have to check IDs to make sure we have just Saugus residents.”Crabtree said Central Street will be blocked off like it is during Founders Day from Saugus Center to the Iron Works, where the horse-drawn hay ride will take kids for rides back and forth.If hayrides aren’t your style, kids can also ride a fully functional trackless train, or head into Town Hall where the library will be sponsoring a story time in the first floor conference room. Even the Town Hall auditorium will be open.”We’ll also have Town Hall open to the public with a DJ playing Christmas music, and in the auditorium, Lowe’s, Home Depot and the Lakeshore Learning Center will have tables set up with activities like arts and crafts and gingerbread house decorating and face painting,” said Crabtree. “The theme of the whole event is going to be gingerbread. One of the things we’ll have is a contest to submit gingerbread houses that will be displayed.Crabtree thanked Julie Mitchell, the Youth and Recreation Department, Sue Dunn and others on the committee for their hard word.”It’s a total group effort,” he said.Inside Town Hall on Thursday Christmas decorations were already set up as the setup for today’s ceremony was well under way.Crabtree also said cookies, popcorn and hot chocolate will be served, and Santa Claus will make an appearance and stick around to take pictures with kids.The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony getting under way at 7 p.m.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].