By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The lighting of the West Haven Green Christmas Tree will signal the start of the holiday season Saturday, complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The annual event will commence at 4:30 p.m. with a greeting by Mayor Dorinda Borer, followed by the singing of the national anthem.
WOW Radio personality Brian Smith will serve as the master of ceremonies for the holiday event, which is presented by the city and West Haven United, an organization aimed at bringing the city’s volunteer groups together.
The Yuletide festivities will include free children’s activities, live entertainment and appearances by costumed Christmas characters, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.
Perhaps the Grinch will make an appearance as well, according to organizers.
Along with train rides and hayrides, kids can also ride in a vintage West Shore firetruck provided by Baybrook Remodelers.
While the rides are free, people are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.
The evening of merriment will also include five stations on the 5-acre Green, where children can decorate ornaments, write letters to Santa, and make cards for U.S. troops overseas and those at the West Haven VA Medical Center.
Kids can also help decorate a holiday banner that will hang on the third floor of City Hall, organizers said.
At each station, volunteers from West Haven United will stamp children’s holiday “passports.” Passports are available for pickup at the West Haven United tent next to the gazebo. Kids must complete all five activities and return their stamped passports to the tent for a chance to win the prize basket.
Just steps from Santa’s workshop, boys and girls can drop off wish lists at St. Nick’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.
The festivities will continue with performances by the West Haven High School dance team at 4:35 p.m., followed by keyboardist Thomas Ice, the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance and Top Hat Dance Academy.
At 5:45 p.m., West Haven’s own Judy Pancoast, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, will lead a holiday sing-along.
At 6 p.m., Borer will welcome revelers from a portable stage on the Main Street side of the Green. Santa and Mrs. Claus will then arrive via an escort by the West Haven High cheerleading team to the stage, where they will join the mayor and her special guests to set the tree aglow.
Before returning to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet children and pose for free photos taken by Good Vibes Photography until 7:30 p.m.
West Haven United will sell hot chocolate and snacks.
The city’s official Christmas tree is also flanked by a smaller evergreen tree. Both conifers are adorned with light strands with multicolored LED bulbs.
For the first time in decades, new decorations and lights will bedeck and illuminate the downtown park, including The John C. Ireland Bandstand and the Victorian lampposts.