By John Swinconeck, Contributing Writer
Marlborough ??” Holiday spirits were up – even as the rain was coming down – Dec. 6 at Union Common as the city held its annual Home for the Holidays celebration. Residents braved the miserably wet weather for the chance to enjoy some hometown holiday cheer.
Participants were greeted with free balloons at the Common's gates. Mayor Arthur Vigeant lit the town tree as the Marlborough High School Mixed Chorus, directed by Shannon Phypers, performed holiday classics under their umbrellas.
“It was very different from previous years,” said chorus member Michaela Lacerra, 16. “You had to not focus on the rain and the umbrellas. ? I had a lot of fun.”
The Marlborough High School String Ensemble and Jazz Band were both slated to perform at the nearby First Congregational Church.
Santa Claus eschewed his reindeer and arrived on Marlborough Fire Department's Tower 1 truck, taking time to hand out candy canes and pose for photos with the young and young at heart. Seeing Santa was the favorite part of the night's activities for 8-year-old Emmanuel Gentile-Magoon.
“It was nice – I hugged Santa,” Emmanuel said, speaking with a mouth full of candy cane after the event. “The rain doesn's bother me.”
Emmanuel's mother, Miriam Gentile, said she enjoyed the community spirit she said was evident at the event. “I don's see something like this very often,” she said.