Tree Lighting Brings Smiles And Santa To Jackson Township

Jackson Township’s Christmas tree is brightly lit and helped bring in the yuletide season in the community recently. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

  JACKSON – Sophia Roberts is 6 years old and her bright smile and excitement was more than a little apparent as she posed for photos in front of the Christmas display at Town Hall.

  The occasion was the township’s annual tree lighting ceremony that drew a large crowd during a recent Saturday night and included some festive tunes by members of the Jackson Liberty High School Chorus.

  The Jackson Council was present to take part and enjoy the holiday event as well along with members of the Township Recreation Department who provided candy, cookies and hot chocolate.

Sophie Roberts, 6, enjoys the Jackson Township Tree Lighting recently. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

  Last year, the event introduced a rather large light switch made by members of the Jackson Department of Public Works. This year that prop was positioned on a portable stage facility where two lucky children chosen by Council President Andrew Kern could pull the switch and illuminate the Jackson Christmas tree for the season.

  Recreation Department Coordinator Joeylynn Anderson joined department members Danielle Schena and Joe Pienkowski in setting up for the event. Danielle appeared to have a side job working for Kris Kringle as she was dressed as an elf. She assisted Santa when he arrived to hear children’s wish lists and have their photos taken following the tree lighting.

  Maria and Frank Roberts and their daughter Sophia enjoyed the event and the young first grader of the Jackson Elementary School wasn’t shy when it came to having her photo taken. She told The Jackson Times that she was looking forward to the lighting of the tree and most especially, the arrival of Santa Claus from the North Pole.

  Francis “Frankie” Best was having fun long before the tree was lit or Santa arrived. Even before the first holiday song by the Jackson Liberty High School Chorus was sung, the 21-month-old was playing in a pile of leaves.

  “This is our first time here for this and it is great,” Kirk Best said. He and his wife Shanna brought their two children to the tree lighting. “We love it here in Jackson. It is a wonderful town.”

  Santa got a ride on a specially made sleigh towed by a Jackson firetruck along with his Schena his elf helper. Council President Kern sought out two young volunteers from the audience to help with the tree lighting. 11-year-old Ava Mallen and 8-year-old Nicholas Gallegan were happy and excited to assist.

Santa Claus prepares to hear the wish list of Jackson Township children during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting held on the grounds of Town Hall recently. He was joined by Township Elf Danielle Schena of the Jackson Recreation Department. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)

  “I need all of your help as we do the countdown,” Kern told the audience in the Town Hall parking lot.

  As the countdown finished, the tree lit up, welcoming the Christmas season to the town.