8th Annual North Reading Holiday Light Festival Scheduled for Sunday, December 1st

North Reading, MA, November 19, 2013 – The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce’s Eighth Annual Holiday Lighting Festival will take place on Sunday, December 1st, 2013, from 2:30 – 4 pm.  Santa will be escorted by fire truck from Reading Co-operative Bank to light the town Christmas tree at 4:15 pm.  The lighting will be followed by the Annual Christmas on the Common sponsored by CCS.

“We are very proud to host this growing event for the community of North Reading,” said John Murphy, chair of the event run by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce.  “It is the Chamber’s gift to the town and this year we have something for everyone.”

The festival will take place around the Town Common including visits and photos with Santa at Reading Co-operative Bank and holiday activities around the Common. There will be appearances by Elmo, Frosty, Rudolph, and more. Local talent will be performing throughout the event: Roaming carolers from our High School and the Elementary and Middle School choruses will perform, the NRHS Marching Band, and dance performances.

The Historical and Antiquities Society will celebrate a Victorian Christmas Faire at the Putnam House during the festival.  Tractor hay rides sponsored by M.G. Hall will run between the library and the historical center where the Minit and Militia will open the Flint house and Schoolhouse. 

The Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations from both businesses and residents to purchase more lights and to defer the cost of the festival, which runs around $5,000 annually.  A North Reading Holiday Lighting fund has been established at Reading Co-operative Bank.  If you are interested in making a donation please make your check out to the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce and send it directly to the North Reading Holiday Lighting Fund, c/o Reading Co-operative Bank, 170 Park Street, North Reading, MA 01864.

The Reading Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1989 and merged with the North Reading Business Association to form the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce in January 2000.  With nearly 300 members, the Chamber provides them with networking, educational and promotional opportunities.  The Chamber is dedicated to its members’ success and encourages participation in Chamber programs and events.  For further information or to become a member, visit the Chamber website www.readingnreadingchamber.org or call Executive Director Janet Wolbrum at 978-664-5060.

 For immediate release November 19, 2013