LYNN — About a dozen families enjoyed the Festival of Lights tree and Menorah lighting ceremony that closed out Saturday — a day centered around Lynn’s local businesses.
Hosted by the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Lynn, the event was held as a way to celebrate the local community and drive more foot traffic to the city’s cultural district.
Colin Codner, executive director of the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce, said this was the first year in a while the city was holding an event like this.
“It’s really (about) getting out into the community, and giving back to the members of the community,” he said. “This was a great opportunity for us to get involved.”
A flier for the event encouraged attendees to “shop small, dine small,” as they waited for the festivities to begin at 4 p.m.
Carolyn Cole, director of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, said the event was both a way to encourage locals to shop the surrounding area, as well as a way to welcome an influx of newer residents to Lynn’s thriving downtown area.
“We have a lot more residents coming in over the next few years,” she said. “So this was sort of a way to bring the community together down there and kick off the season as we head into our city-wide annual (tree-lighting) event on Tuesday.”
With performances by the St. Mary’s Choir and the All-City Marching Band, and free hot chocolate provided by the Salvation Army, the mini festival was a hit with the smaller crowd.
Tia Lawrence of Lynn, who was there with her three daughters, ages six, five, and 18 months, said the family passed by the flurry of activity after finishing the day’s errands and decided to join in the festivities.
Her oldest, Laila Florence, 6, gave the lighting ceremony a glowing review: “It’s really good with the hot chocolate and meeting Santa,” she said.
Samantha Wheeler, events coordinator for the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce, said Saturday’s tree lighting was just the start of what the chamber hopes will become a North Shore-wide event that celebrates all the small businesses that keep local economies thriving.
“it’s a really community-driven event for the city,” she said.
