METHUEN — From holiday parades to collections of trees, the season is the reason for many celebratory events.
From the 31st Festival of Trees at 13 Branch St. in Methuen on Saturday to the 60th annual Santa Parade by the Haverhill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 29 on Sunday, the Merrimack Valley has officially commenced the holiday season.
Walking through the Festival of Trees on Saturday’s opening day, Dracut residents Chris and Deanna Pangione would stop every time their daughter, 1-year-old Ariella, pointed at twinkling lights or sparkling decorations.
“It feels like the world,” said Deanna Pangione.
“It’s just exciting,” said Chris Pangione. “(Ariella) gets to see this for the first time.”
Janice Solomon, one of the members of the board of directors for the Festival of Trees, said there were 220 full-sized trees this year, 31 miniature trees, and 10 wreaths. More than 50 of the trees were from first-time donors.
Festival of Trees Board of Directors President Emeritus Tom Lussier was honored during the evening by the board of directors and presented a gift from current president, Rose Marie Redman.
Lussier is a founding member of the Festival of Trees along with his wife, President Emeritus Sharon Pollard, and has served in a number of capacities since the event began in 1994.
First Night in the Magical Forest was held Friday as the kick-off for the Methuen Festival of Trees’ 31st annual holiday season. A sold-out special evening featured a selection of food stations, entertainment, and more than 300 stunning trees and wreaths that were the stars of the show.
In 1994, volunteers raising funds for the restoration of the 1830s Tenney Gate House conceived the idea of holding a Christmas fundraiser. As of today, the festival organizers have donated more than $2 million to historic perseveration projects across the Merrimack Valley. The Festival of Trees runs from Nov. 23 through Dec. 7.
Meanwhile, at the Andover Holiday Artisan Market in Old Town Hall, vendors showed off their wares, from handmade ceramics to oil paintings and sea glass art as holiday music rang out.
People combed through the goods, eager to find the perfect, unique gift.
Also Saturday, a boat was turned into a holiday float and Santa Claus waved from a cherry picker as the Methuen Santa Parade drew hundreds to celebrate the holiday spirit.
On Sunday, the 60th Santa Parade had people lining the streets, ready to celebrate the diamond anniversary with the theme “Santa Says ‘Diamonds are Mrs. Claus’ Best Friend.’”
The parade had more than two dozen floats, including Clydesdale horses, the Londonderry High School marching band, and, of course, Santa himself on his sleigh, ready to ring in the beginning of the holiday season.