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Date: 11/30/2023
AGAWAM — Residents next month have an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season at not one, but two, festive community tree lighting ceremonies in different sections of town.
Ceremonies will take place back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 7-8. Both will run 6-7 p.m. The Dec. 7 tree lighting ceremony will be on the green at Feeding Hills Center, near Granger School. The Dec. 8 ceremony is at the Veterans Memorial Green at Main and School streets in front of Phelps School.
In addition to the tree lightings, there will be free hot cocoa and cookies at both locations as well as festive music and a caroling sing-along led by Paul Sawyer, a music teacher at Phelps and Sapelli schools.
“For the past several years, the Granger PTO has sponsored a tree lighting ceremony in front of the school,” said Dawn DeMatteo, a member of the Agawam School Committee. “Last year’s event was super successful. Some people who attended the ceremony said later that they thought it would be nicer if the whole community knew about it so more residents could participate.”
DeMatteo said she and her husband David decided the best way to do that would be to create a community-wide event that expands the single-tree lighting ceremony at Granger and involves the parent-teacher organizations of the four elementary schools and the Early Childhood Center. The DeMatteos came up with what they call the first-ever “Community Tree Lightings with Cocoa and Caroling” event.
“We discussed the idea with Mayor [William] Sapelli, who gave us his blessing. He said he loves the idea,” said Dawn DeMatteo.
This fall, they met with the PTO presidents to talk about plans for the ceremonies.
“Soon, the PTOs were off and running to begin planning,” she said. “We wanted to not only build on what the Granger PTO started, but also to provide a free event for families and the community to enjoy a magical holiday gathering. With the help of the PTOs, it’s going to be a great — and fun — night for all.”
PTOs from Granger and Sapelli schools, along with the ECC, will sponsor the Dec. 7 ceremony, while PTOs from Phelps and Clark schools will host the Dec. 8 event. School families are being asked to bake or donate cookies to serve with the hot cocoa at both events.
Local businesses also are pitching in by donating trees for each green. DeCaro Landscape Services and Garden Center in Feeding Hills will donate the Granger tree and Granny’s Place in Agawam will donate the Phelps tree.
The DeMatteos will provide cups and the town will help hook up an electrical connection for the tree lights. Both ceremonies will feature a very special surprise guest for kids: A jolly fellow in a red and white suit matching the red and white Agawam fire engine he will arrive in.
“We’re very excited about bringing the community together in the spirit of the holidays to create amazing memories for everyone. I’m thrilled this is coming together.” said DeMatteo. She said PTO teams have been “open and gracious” with their time and by volunteering to organize the two events.
“It’s wonderful to see our community working together to provide some joy during this festive season.,” said DeMatteo. “I hope this will be the start of a beautiful tradition in Agawam.”