All things were “Merry and Bright” as the village of Montgomery hosted its kickoff to the Christmas season on Sunday evening.
As in previous years, hundreds of children were on hand to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the village. After Santa emerged from a Montgomery and Countryside Fire District truck in front of Village Hall and was helped down the ladder by Village President Matt Brolley, Santa hit the switch lighting up the village’s Christmas tree which was decorated by young people with handmade ornaments earlier in the day.
The event also included giveaways, musical performances, a chance to visit with Santa and the opening of the Festival of Trees, which will run through Dec. 26 at Village Hall and along River Street.
Guests could wander to Atrevete Confections at 216 N. River St. for a free hot chocolate or to Gray’s Mill Estate at 211 N. River St. for a cookie during the event.
A DJ for the event had the crowd singing Christmas carols. Kristina Nemetz with the village of Montgomery estimated that a thousand visitors turned out for the annual event.
“Each year this event gets bigger and bigger,” said Jeff Orirossi, with the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event along with the village. “It used to be you show up, say hi to Santa and have a cookie.”
The Festival of Trees, which opened during Sunday’s event, will run through Dec. 26 and includes trees decorated by residents, families, businesses and organizations both indoors at Village Hall and outdoors along River Street between Webster and Mill streets.
The trees inside Village Hall will be available for viewing during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
