Hundreds Welcome The Season With Tree Lighting In Newtown Borough

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — In one of those small town Norman Rockwell moments, hundreds of Newtown Borough residents watched as the town’s Christmas tree flickered on in a blaze of color Friday night.

The special tree lighting, organized by the newly formed The Newtown Experience, began with performances by BC Discoveries Dance & Theater Arts Company and the Goodnoe Elementary School Choir, known as “the Goods.”

Mayor John Burke also took a moment to recognize longtime public works employee Ron Fesmire who will be retiring at the end of the year.

“Ron is a Newtown native who has dedicated more than 20 years to maintaining State Street and all the little pocket parks. He treats it as if it’s his own. He’s done a great, outstanding job taking care of this borough,” said Burke. “We wanted to take this opportunity and thank him for his service. We’re also going to have Ron flick the switch on the tree this evening.”

Not long after recognizing Fesmire, Santa made his grand entrance aboard an antique Newtown fire truck - its sirens wailing as it traveled down Washington Avenue.

Santa soon joined Mayor Burke and Ron Fesmire in lighting the tree, which towers over the parking lot at the Newtown Fire Association. Fesmire was given the honor of flipping the switch.

As the tree, decorated by Kathy Buczek from the Temperance House, flickered on - its lights twinkling in a burst of color - the gathering of young and old captured the small town American moment with videos and photographs.

Afterwards, many retreated inside the fire station where they enjoyed hot chocolate and candy canes.

Others waited in line outside to see Santa. On the side porch of the fire station, the jolly old soul listened to holiday wishes and posed for photographs. Each child left with a special memory of Newtown.

If you missed Santa on Friday night, he’ll will be back at his house at 16 South State Street greeting youngsters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11 and again on Dec. 17 and 18.

The holiday excitement continues on Sunday, December 4 with the NBA/McCaffrey’s Newtown Holiday Parade. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. on South State Street at the Stocking Works.

As an incentive to shop Newtown, throughout the holiday season Newtown Borough has waived the three hour parking restriction on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31 to accommodate shoppers. The 30 minute spaces, however, will still be enforced.