Residents brave low temperatures during annual Christmas tree lighting

Warwick — To their credit, Warwick residents usually come out in droves for the annual Christmas tree lighting even when it’s pouring rain, snowing or like last year, unusually mild. However, on Friday evening, Nov. 23, the moonlit sky was clear but the weather was cold. Although the temperature was just below 20 degrees, a large crowd of parents, grandparents and children bundled up and came out of their warm homes to participate in the countdown and see the tree lighting sponsored annually by the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department. Before the lighting, Rev. Chris Yount, pastor of Warwick’s United Methodist Church as well as the fire department’s chaplain, led the crowd in prayer. He urged those assembled to enjoy the holiday season and their Christmas shopping but he also suggested that they put aside a small percentage of what they planned to spend on holiday gifts for charity such as helping to feed and clothe a poor child. Mayor Michael Newhard reminded everyone that they had just celebrated Thanksgiving the day before and that we should all reflect on our many blessings and be thankful for everything we have. He praised the people of Warwick for their holiday spirit. Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton thanked the Warwick Fire Department for sponsoring the tree lighting ceremony and he praised the volunteers who had spent the day preparing the tree for the lighting ceremony. Santa made another early surprise visit by fire engine and then handed out goodies to the excited children who lined up to greet him. In 2003, the Christmas tree lighting returned to Lewis Park after years of being held at what was then a privately owned “Railroad Green.” The large evergreen tree at Railroad Green Park, now the Village Park, had been removed during its rebuilding and transfer to the Village of Warwick. At that time the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick helped the Warwick Fire Department continue its tradition by graciously providing the magnificent evergreen, just outside its Old School Baptist MeetingHouse. The annual event traditionally marks the beginning of the local holiday season. In recent years, with help from the Village of Warwick Department of Public Works, members of the Warwick Valley Gardeners also decorate another Christmas tree in the large urn at Railroad Green Park.