Oakdale Square Tree Lighting Party Tonight Sat. Dec 5th

DEDHAM, MA - The Oakdale Square Alliance neighborhood revitalization group is holding its sixth annual Light the Night! Holiday Celebration this evening Saturday, December 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. The free event features a ceremonial lighting of the holiday tree, caroling, live music & singing, children’s gingerbread decorating activity, complimentary hot chocolate & coffee, and baked treats, as well as a special visit from Santa Claus. Everyone is encouraged to bring a homemade baked treat to share, and, if possible, a donation of non-perishable food, cooking spices and/or toiletries to the Dedham Food Pantry.

Those planning on attending are encouraged to RSVP on OSA’s Light the Night event page, which can be accessed by clicking here- https://www.facebook.com/events/765607440231507/.

• 4:00pm - The family-friendly holiday event kicks off at inside the charming 139-year old Church of the Good Shepherd at 62 Cedar Street, with a new addition do the annual event; a special 30-minute celebration of Christmas music & stories led by the church’s Music Director & Organist Scott Mingels. Guests will enjoy seeing the Church’s newly refurbished interior, striking red carpeting, ornate organ, vaulted ceilings, graceful wooden arches, and the church’s prized Tiffany stained-glass window.

• 4:30pm - Guests will proceed to the Church hall, where live music will continue, and children will be invited to decorate plain, gingerbread men and participate in other kid-friendly activities. The cookies and all decoration treats will all be provided free of charge.

• 5:00pm - Santa Claus is expected to arrive and will be available to meet all the good boys and girls who are attending the celebration. Music and singing will continue.

• 5:30pm - participants will join in a countdown for the lighting of the tree on the Oakdale Common. As is OSA’s tradition, once again a Dedham Veteran will throw the light switch after the community countdown. This year’s Veteran honoree is Town of Dedham’s Town Manager Jim Kern who served in the U.S. Navy.
  

• 6:00pm - event officially ends, but everyone is welcome to linger on the Common and keep the celebration going as long as they like.
  

OSA Co-Founder Paul Reynolds shares, “Oakdale Square Alliance is proud to be hosting this event once again to keep building a vibrant community here in the historic Oakdale neighborhood, especially at a time when the world needs more light to fight against the darkness we’re seeing too often in the world.”

State Representative Paul McMurtry is also moved by OSA’s efforts to highlight veterans during the event, “OSA has helped shine the light on our veterans; as well as those on active duty during the holiday season. It’s a wonderful way of recognizing the sacrifices our service men, women and their families make on a daily basis for the freedoms we enjoy.”

The Light the Night event was made possible by the generosity of lead sponsors Dedham Savings, and lead supporting sponsor Tedeschi Food Shops located at 77 Cedar Street, which is owned by event Co-Chair Ziad Greige, who purchased many new holiday lights and the many fully-decorated wreaths for Oakdale Square. Healy Law Offices LLP at 93 Cedar Street is providing free coffee and hot chocolate, Jeff and Allison Motta at Pair sneaker and lifestyle clothing store located at 6 Sanderson Avenue will host a children’s craft activity, and Lloyd Cushman Tree Service once again provided the installation of the holiday lights, and Rita Mae Cushman created hand-made bows to decorate all the holiday greenery in Oakdale Square.

The OSA Light the Night holiday event committee acknowledges the support of the following individuals who helped assist this special event over the last several years: State Representative Paul McMurtry, Veterans Service Officer William Aitken, the Dedham Allied Veteran’s Council, Dedham’s Police Chief Mike d’Entremont and the Dedham Police Department, Town Manager Jim Kern, Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker and staff, the Dedham Board of Selectmen, County Commissioner Francis O’Brien, longtime Dedham Selectwoman Marie-Louise Kehoe, DPW Director Joe Flanagan, as well as Parks & Recreation Director Bob Stanley, Dan Hart and the Parks & Recreation Commission.

Led by Ziad Greige and Paul Reynolds, the OSA Light the Night holiday event committee also includes Rich and Joan Campagna, Patty Roberts, Rita Mae Cushman, Jody LaPointe, Joanne O’Meara, Rita Mae Cushman, Martha & Paul Zeolla, Joanne O’Leary, Jeff & Alison Motta, Andrea Monterisi, and Janet Reynolds.

Founded in 2010, the Oakdale Square Alliance was formed to promote, enhance, strengthen and improve the economic vitality, visual appearance and character, cultural and historic resources, accessibility, and overall quality of life in Oakdale Square. For more information latest news about Oakdale Square Alliance events and monthly meetings, visit the organization on Facebook www.facebook.com/oakdalesquarealliance.

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