By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Everyone knows it is the holiday season in Northborough when the town comes together for its annual Holiday Trolley Day and tree lighting ceremony. This year’s event was held Dec. 3.
The holiday trolley has been a tradition in Northborough since 2005 and is now coordinated by Northboro Local First (NLF). In an effort to encourage people to shop local, passengers were able to take a trolley ride and make stops along the route at local businesses, many of which had special events, discounts and holiday activities for all ages. Each trolley stop offered guests a raffle ticket, and winners were picked at the tree lighting ceremony. All raffle prizes were donated by local merchants.
The Northborough Community Affairs Committee sponsored the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the support of local businesses. Every year the tree is lit in honor of the memory of Army Pfc. Neil Ellsworth, a Northborough resident who was killed in 1967 in Vietnam at age 19. The national anthem was sung by Mary Kate Ellsworth.
The Marion E. Zeh Elementary School Children’s Chorus, directed by Allyn Phelps, led the audience in carols and hot cocoa and cookies were provided. Northboro House of Pizza provided pizza and collected donations to support the Northborough Food Pantry.
NLF is a collaborative effort by local, independent small business owners, community members and nonprofit organizations to help build and maintain a vibrant local economy. More information on NLF can be found at www.northborolocalfirst.org.
Photos/Liz Nolan