MEMO Holiday Lighting in Medfield.... Now A Tradition

MEMO Holiday Tree Lighting in Medfield...how it all began!

Do you know the history of Medfield's holiday lights?

The townspeople of Medfield greatly anticipate this annual event, now a town tradition, which began a number of years ago and has grown into a spectacular display. The people and businesses of MEMO is who we thank for not only funding this for 30 years, but also for their volunteer hours stringing the lights and making the town looking festive during the holidays.

In 2020 many changes have been forced upon us when it comes to holiday traditions, but MEMO will not disappoint....this year on December 4th Baxter Park and Medfield Town Hall will once again sparkle brightly as MEMO (Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization) volunteers continue their 30 year tradition of lighting the town through the Holiday Season even though the community will not be able to gather in celebration. This year, the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be virtual along with the Cultural Alliance’s Holiday Stroll. Medfield TV will be broadcasting the virtual event.

The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual community event shared and anticipated by adults and children, young and old. The ceremony kicks off the Holiday season and embodies the sense and support of community in the Town of Medfield. MEMO’s Holiday Lights Chairperson is Hank Marcel, the founder of Medfield Electric, who has spearheaded this project for over 30 years and has dedicated countless hours to make this event memorable. Over the last 6-8 years Neal O'Connor of Charles River Contracting has become Hank's right hand man in getting the lights up and down, which is no simple task.

Tree Lighting History:

1970’s: The Town of Medfield with the assistance of Hank Marcel,would hang six-foot wreaths with red bows and lighted bells on each telephone pole through the center of town. In addition, other Medfield businesses bought their own lights and would decorate their places of business. According to Hank, the preparation and decorating would take 4-5 days to complete. Medfield Fire Chief at the time, Joe Ryan was kind enough to allow all lights be stored at the fire station and MEMO was incorporated in 1979.

1980’s: MEMO member Carol Ness had the idea to add Holiday decorations that could be enjoyed by the whole town. A lighted banner was purchased and strung across the street intersection of North Street and Rt 109. Having received such a positive response from the Town’s people, MEMO continued to add more banners, lighting, and decorations. That first purchase grew to lighting a small evergreen tree in Baxter Park. In addition, Medfield High School Music Director, Bob Hersey would play his trumpet while town officials, MEMO members, and onlookers would sing Christmas Carols to complete the tree lighting festivities. MEMO member, Attorney, Jack McNicholas has been a stalwart volunteer since the beginning.

1990’s: Baxter Park was redesigned in the early 1990’s and Hank Marcel’s vision for a larger Holiday Tree Lighting display came to life. Under MEMO’s funding and support and Hank’s direction, all the tree & shrubs at Baxter Park, Town Hall, the Public Library, and the main tree in front of the Unitarian Church on North Street were to be illuminated with the town’s spirit.

Through the years, MEMO has continued to store, maintain, replace, and upgrade to LED lighting for greater efficiency. Former Town Administrator, Mike Sullivan saw to it that the town would provide a bucket truck and operator to aid MEMO in the annual hanging of the Holiday Lights.

MEMO members have continued enhancing the festivities with the addition of the Joy to the World Singing Contest under MEMO member Tim Borchers of Borchers Law Office direction. Our featured tree has been pruned and maintained by MEMO member Mike Lueders of Lueders Tree & Landscape.

With the difficulties that each of us have faced during 2020, the importance of MEMO’s Holiday Tree Lighting has an even greater significance. MEMO’s two major objectives are:

• Support and promote its members businesses
• Support the Community of Medfield

The Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Holiday Parade, Joy to the World Singing Contest, Discover Medfield Day, Discover Medfield History Day, High School Scholarships, and the many donations made to different Medfield Organizations throughout the year, is how MEMO member businesses support this mission to strengthen our community as a whole. There are currently over seventy local businesses that comprise the MEMO membership.

The members of MEMO wish everyone a Joyous Holiday Season and we look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Tree Lighting and parade.