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Hamilton a city in lights

Choir treats revelers to Christmas medley; festivities continue today with parade

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer 12:57 AM Saturday, November 21, 2009

HAMILTON — Despite the relatively warm November night Friday, Nov. 20, it began to look a lot like Christmas when Hamilton held its tree-lighting ceremony.

Presiding over his final Christmas kickoff, outgoing Mayor Don Ryan noted how the event had grown in the past eight years. He said the crowd had 200 people back then, and estimated that number had swelled to well over 1,000 Friday.

“It’s a little sad, actually,” Ryan said of Friday being his last Christmas as mayor. “Just knowing how the people come out and support this; these are the kinds of events I will miss. It shows a love for the city, which I think is awesome.”

A number of musical groups performed Christmas songs, including the Hamilton Elementary Honor Chorus, which led the crowd through a medley called “The Rockin’ Christmas Celebration,” which included the Bruce Springsteen arrangement of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” the Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

Finally, at around 6 p.m., the mayor lit the tree donated by Chuck and Barb Gaynor of Hamilton.

The festivities spilled over to the Main Street Music Fest, where various music groups performed inside the businesses.

“I think it’s a nice way for the city’s people to come up and see everything. Maybe we can get something going economy-wise,” said Joey Murphy of Hamilton.

June Steeed of Hamilton said she liked “everything” about the tree-lighting ceremony, “especially the people. The people have turned out.”

Christmas festivities continue today with the Holiday Kids Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Fitton Center on Monument Avenue and ends at the Santa house on South Second Street in front of the historic courthouse.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

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