Printer Friendly Version - A Festive Sight: Branford's Virtual Tree Lighting

On Dec. 1, The Town of Branford and Branford Parks and Recreation hosted a virtual tree lighting ceremony, which was live streamed by BCTV on Facebook. Here, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in style in the late Bruce Pantani's 1965 cherry red Cadillac de Ville. The classic car has become known in Branford as the "Christmas Caddy" due to his family's annual holiday gift collection effort by that name, which assists families served by Branford Counseling & Community Services.Photo by Bill O'Brien

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Ruldolph came to town to light the night during Branford's 2020 Town Tree lighting, which was held as a virtual ceremony this year and livestreamed on Facebook via BCTV. The archived video is on view now (visit @MyBCTV on Facebook).

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Branford's annual holiday parade and traditional gathering on the green to view the tree lighting did not take place; but the traditional countdown to the first festive lighting of the big, beautiful tree on the Branford green was still a sight to see.

The Christmas trio of Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer arrived with an escort along Main Street. Following a brief ceremony hosted by the Town of Branford and Branford Parks and Recreation, with a benediction by Rev. Bill Keane, the tree was lit with multicolor LED lights that were strung with generous assistance J. Witkowsky and Sons Tree Service. Flower Wonderland provided multiple holiday wreaths on the fencing around the tree, and Van Wilgen's Garden Center provided the large wreath decorating Town Hall.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in style in the late Bruce Pantani's 1965 cherry red Cadillac de Ville. The classic car has become known in Branford as the "Christmas Caddy" due to his family's annual holiday gift collection effort by that name, which assists families served by Branford Counseling & Community Services. The Christmas Caddy was provided by the Angelo, Pantani and Fowler families.

Branford's beautiful town Christmas Tree was lit during a virtual ceremony which was live streamed on BCTV on Dec. 1, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus.Photo by Bill O'Brien

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet Rev. Bill Keane during the virtual Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 1 on the Branford green.Photo by Bill O'Brien

Branford Parks and Recreation's Program Coordinator Andrea Kenney; Director Alex Palluzzi andArts, Culture and Special Events Coordinator Colin Sheehan helped deliver the virtual tree lighting event on Dec. 1 on Branford's town green.Photo by Bill O'Brien