One of my favorite days leading up to Christmas is the Tree Lighting ceremony at Drummer Boy Park. The lighting of the tree and nearby windmill kicks off the Brewster for the Holidays weekend. The event includes tasty treats, goody bags for kids, a toy drive run by the PTO, luminaries, holiday music, and a visit from Santa. His arrival on a blaring, lit up fire engine has the kids bursting with excitement.
I've been on the Brewster for the Holidays committee for 10 years and am now the organizer of this Friday night event. Ten years ago, the tree was a live cut tree in the gazebo, and attendance to see its lighting was around 20 people. In 2009, our family made the decision to buy a permanent tree and went before the Selectmen to ask for permission to plant this tree.
The tree is very personal to my family, and we affectionately refer to it as "Bubba's Tree." In early 2009, my grandfather passed away. We had enjoyed many summer band concerts with him at Drummer Boy Park, so we proposed that a permanent tree be planted for Brewster for the Holidays in his memory.
WeNeedaVacation.com and the Brewster Historical Society have been sponsoring this special event for a decade. It feels poignant that we work arm in arm with the Historical Society on this event, as Bubba's ancestors were on the Mayflower and were some of the very people who settled in Brewster including William Brewster.
The event last Friday was a huge success. The weather was mild, the crowd was 200+, and the children were smiling and enjoying the lights, donuts, and music. There was a blacksmith demonstration and tours were available inside the Higgins Farm Windmill. Dunes radio was rockin' with peppy holiday music. But, Santa's arrival is the icing on the cake. Thank you to everyone who attends and supports this meaningful event.
Here is the welcome speech, thank you sentiments, and dedication before the tree was illuminated: