Tree Lighting Shines A Light On Holiday Green

On a bone-chilling Thursday evening, friends Alex Gonzalez and Ellen Martin danced amid scores of high-spirited revelers under a perfect half-moon on the New Haven Green — the massive, dark, soon-to-be-illuminated Norway Spruce behind them lending the festivities an air of happy anticipation. 

“I love seeing everyone out, seeing the small businesses, seeing the kids, especially given the last few years,” Gonzalez said of the annual tree lighting, which was hosted by the New Haven Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism. ​“It’s like a hometown celebration.” 

That was the scene Thursday evening downtown as hundreds gathered for the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The event featured live music, small businesses, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Gonzalez and Martin had been moving to the rhythms of ​“Let It Snow!” performed with flair by the New Haven Jazz Underground, led by trumpeter and Truman School teacher Nick DiMaria. 

On the way to the pop-up gift market, a man who gave his first name as Ernesto was hawking twinkling Christmas tree balloons for $10 apiece.

“I don’t know anything, except that I love Christmas,” he said, his breath showing in the air, as a little girl stood to the side, regarding the balloons with great interest.

Outside Anthony Murrell’s pop-up shop, New Haven’s Fadrika Hardy was placing a bar of goat milk soap on top of a bag. It was full to bursting. 

“I’m here for the Christmas tree lighting,” she said, as a group huddled around a pyramid flame heater nearby. ​“I had a cup of cocoa and now I’m shopping for me.”

Murrell, the designer behind local men’s sportwear brand Black Goat Milk Clothiers, said he got the goat milk soap from a combat veteran in Storrs. 

“He was a customer from a few years back, runs a goat farm so he bought a goat sweatshirt, thought it would be cute,” he said. ​“Then he showed up at another festival and handed me a bag of goat milk soap that he manufactured on his farm.” 

Mostly, Murrell said, ​“I upstyle ready-made garments and see if the brand and the style resonates with people.” The most popular item: the hoodies emblazoned with a formidable-looking goat. 

A few shops down, Linwood Lacy of Woody’s Wings was taking an order for wings, with a side of yams and buffalo mac and cheese.

“We’re feeding the people and that’s always a good thing,” said Lacy, who owns the Whalley Avenue establishment with his wife Lachelle.

Not far from the Christmas tree, Garrett Griffin of the group Anti-Racism in Action was handing out ​“Celebrate Kwanzaa” buttons to passersby. 

“Kwanzaa is for everyone and it promotes unity in our community,” he said, as the high-pitched strains of children singing ​“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” filtered from the main stage. 

It was the Celentano School Chorus under the direction of David Minnella. Among the members was 6^th grader Medalyn Martinez.

Her mother Amy Martinez, swathed in a blanket, and father Hector, stood watching. 

“Very excited and proud,” Hector said. 

Past a line for The Best Fried Dough that ranged across Elm Street, a group of kids were deep in concentration, beading bracelets and necklaces under a tent. 

“I might wear this to school tomorrow,” said a girl named Londyn.

Back on the stage, Carlos el Lunatico was leading El Grupo Tipico in a spirited rendition of ​“Feliz Navidad,” the song lighting up faces in the audience. 

“Everyone get up and dance,” el Lunatico called out.

Some waved their arms. Others clapped. A mother lifted her child and swayed her in her arms to the music. 

In the shadows behind the stage was a booth for Covid PCR Testing. It was quiet. 

A woman walked by. ​“It’s still here, but we have to live,” she said.

Soon, the crowd was assembling around the tree, a 45-foot Norway Spruce donated by East Haven’s Alma Johnson-Sauro in memory of her companion Ronald Morgan.

At 7:24 p.m., the lights dimmed. The countdown began. 

“Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!” everyone shouted in unison.

“Whoa,” someone exclaimed, as the tree came to life, blanketed with lights, enveloping the Green with holiday spirit. 

“This is what it’s all about,” another attendee said.