By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – On a comfortably cool Dec. 1, residents and visitors filled Union Common in the Marlborough Downtown Village Cultural District for the city’s annual Home for the Holidays.
Festivities began with free helium balloons, popcorn and hot chocolate distributed by Marlborough High School (MHS) girls basketball teammates. The MHS Mixed Chorus sang seasonal songs under the direction of Shannon McNulty. Cub Scout Pack 42 joined the chorus to sing “Jingle Bells.” Children also got the chance to pet several live barn animals.
Santa Claus arrived on the city’s Ladder 1 firetruck with a bagful of candy canes for good girls and boys. The park became brighter and more colorful when Mayor Arthur Vigeant lit the holiday tree.
MHS students continued providing musical entertainment inside the nearby First Church in Marlborough with performances by the Jazz Ensemble directed by Gary Piazza and String Ensemble directed by Angie Crockwell.