Santa Arrived During Bedford's Grand Illumination

It's the HOLIDAZE! Image (c) JMcCT, 2014 — *Magical holiday lights on Bedford Common Image (c) JMcCT, 2014*

By Julie McCay Turner

Hundreds of families attended Monday's tree lighting on Bedford Common - Image (c) JMcCT — *Hundreds of families attended Monday’s tree lighting on Bedford Common – Image (c) JMcCT*

As the ancient bell in First Parish’s steeple chimed 7 o’clock on the evening of December 1, Alma Pomponi, Bedford’s 2014 Citizen of the Year, flicked the switch that illuminated the town’s holiday lights on Bedford Common.

Amy Hamilton, Bedford’s Recreation Director, hosted another great holiday party. “Aren’t we delighted that it’s not freezing,” she said more than once as John Eisnor and Brian Walsh of Bedford’s DPW stood watch along South Road, guarding the transformer that was ready for its big moment in Bedford’s holiday light show.

And during a rendezvous in an undisclosed corner of town, Bedford firefighters met the evening’s very special guest.

Shortly after the lights came on at 7 o’clock, Ladder One, the town’s newest piece of fire-fighting equipment drew up on South Road, alongside the Common, and none other than Santa Claus emerged from the passenger compartment!

Preceding the main event, there was a jam-packed holiday puppet show by storyteller Margaret Moody in the sanctuary at First Parish. The congregation’s Junior Youth Group served hot chocolate to the crowd as they trooped onto the Common.

After Santa’s arrival, a pair of elves distributed candy canes, and scores of Bedford’s youngest residents crowded around to share their holiday wishes with Santa.