Warm hearts and cold hands at Sharon holiday tree lighting

SHARON — The sounds of excited chatter wafted through the air as roughly 350 spectators gathered around the town Green for the Sharon Holiday Celebration. Singing Christmas carols, their anticipation was finally satisfied when the evergreen before them came alive with an array of colorful and festive lights.

While the Saturday, Dec. 4, celebration culminated with the tree lighting, which happened around 5:30 p.m., people started to arrive about an hour and a half earlier. Many of them circled the Green, looking at the 1,400 luminaria — white bags with lights inside that serve to memorialize friends and loved ones who have died.

There has also been a menorah on the Green for observances of Hanukkah, which ended Dec. 6.

For children, Santa Claus was available for visits outside the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon (which is still closed for planned renovations).

The Salisbury Band’s Christmas Brass and Hot Chocolate Society began playing at 5 p.m., leading the crowd through classic holiday songs. Right before the playing of “O Christmas Tree,” the lights were turned on.

After a few more songs from the band, spectators were encouraged to visit the Sharon Historical Society for cider, hot chocolate, cookies and other refreshments.