Greenbelt’s annual Christmas tree lighting saw a great turnout on Friday, December 6. With cups of hot chocolate in hand, Greenbelt residents filled Roosevelt Center waiting for Santa to arrive and light up the community tree.
Mayor Colin Byrd and Councilmembers Emmett Jordan, Judith Davis and Edward Putens were all welcomed with a loud round of applause. It was Byrd’s first time attending the event as mayor.
“It’s all just a joyful time. I’m glad to be a part of it and to now take a leadership role in helping to promote some of these festivities,” Byrd said.
While the crowd eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival, the Greenbelt Concert Band Brass Choir performed It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.
Santa arrived in his fire truck not too long after that. He and Mrs. Claus were met with thunderous applause from the crowd, especially from all of the kids in attendance.
“I can smell Santa!” said Chris Cherry, performing arts coordinator for the City of Greenbelt. “What does he smell like? Peppermint! And cookies, because he eats so many!”
The band put on a performance of Here Comes Santa Claus as Santa made his way to the stage, followed by his group of elves.
“Everybody ready for some cold weather?” Santa asked the audience. “Let’s hear it for snow!”
The Christmas spirit was then felt more than ever as everyone joined Santa in singing classic Christmas carols such as Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells.
“I really do love the band,” said Jordan. “They’re so good and I love singing carols.”
After the caroling had concluded and Santa had arrived, it was time for the main event: the lighting of the Christmas tree. The crowd counted down from 10 to help Santa before the tree was lit by beautiful multi-colored lights. The tree lighting helped to bring Greenbelt residents together and unite them all in the Christmas spirit.
“When you look around, you see such a happy vibe here,” said Vijay Parameshwaran, a Greenbelt resident. “The families are here, the elders are here, the kids are running around, having a good time.”
Another Greenbelt resident, Brooke Kenny, came to the event with her husband and two kids. She says that she’s gone to the event about three to five times in the past.
“I love that a lot of neighbors are here and that it’s a local event. There’s not too many local events left these days,” Kenny said.
With Christmas carols performed by the Brass Choir, Santa’s arrival and hot chocolate, there was a little something for everyone.
“Every time you’ve got great music, you’ve got the kids, you’ve got a great atmosphere and environment,” Byrd said. “And that’s aided in part by the fact that it’s a great community.”
The night came to an end with a showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) inside Old Greenbelt Theatre.
Kaitlyn Cupelli is a University of Maryland journalism student reporting for the News Review.
