Lebanon lights up the town green

Santa sings with the Lyman Memorial High School chorus during the Lebanon tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 2. Photos by Melanie Savage.

It seemed as though the entire town of Lebanon had come out to celebrate the lighting of the town Christmas tree on Dec. 2. Balmy weather brought residents out in droves, and the area in front of the library was packed with spectators. Thousands of luminaries had been lit earlier in the evening by members of Lebanon Boy Scout Troop 180. First Selectwoman Joyce Okonuk served as master of ceremonies, introducing performances by the Lyman Memorial High School chorus and the Lebanon First Congregational Church bell choir.

After the massive pine tree was lit, a siren announced the arrival of Santa on a light-bedecked town ladder truck. Afterwards, families dispersed to a variety of locations. Inside the church hall next door, Santa held court as a long line of children waited to speak with him.   Members of the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department set to work igniting a huge bonfire at the close end of the mile-long town green. And many of the town’s historic homes and museums were open. The Lebanon Historical Society Museum offered children’s crafts sponsored by local the local Girl Scout Troop. Other locations offered activities of their own.