Collaborative event included visit from Santa, who handed out candy
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
COATESVILLE – Coatesville continued to get into the swing of the holiday spirit at its Christmas Tree Lighting in Gateway Park on Saturday night.
Organized by Parks and Recreation Commission Head Marie Hess, the event drew police officers, firefighters, and residents. Santa Claus also made a special appearance, handing out candy to children.
Hess said that the lighting was a particularly special event to her, as it is her last event before becoming a member of city council, to which she was elected to in November.
New Frontier Landscape and Supply Co. donated the tree three years ago, and the family of Coatesville Police Sgt. Rodger Ollis provided the lights, which were put up by the city’s Public Works Department.
Hess said that the tree is particularly special because children will be able to attend the lighting for years to come.
“We got it [the tree] smaller so that way the kids who started coming to the Christmas Tree Lighting could actually grow with the tree, and that way they have something to remember, and they have stories to pass down for generations,” she said.
Standing at the intersection of First Avenue and Lincoln Highway, the white lights of the tree will be one of the first sights people see when coming into Coatesville.
