The Sights of Saturday's Wilmington Tree Lighting

In case you missed blogger Lennie Malvone's photos from the festivities, click through them for all the fun.

Holiday Season Officially Kicks Off With Tree Lighting [VIDEO]

Residents flocked to Town Common on Saturday night as Santa lit thousands of lights on the trees in the area.

Nothing quite says holiday spirit like Christmas lights and trees. On Saturday, two celebrations in Wilmington combined those very things and made for a day that would make even the Grinch smile from ear to ear. Throughout the day the Women of Wilmington hosted their second annual Festival of Trees. The event, which began last year, has grown tremendously and, is well on its way to becoming a local holiday tradition. This year the Festival took place over the course of two days and grew from 59 donations of trees, mini trees and baskets to 79. With just enough snow falling outside the windows to add a bit of character to the background, the festival offered locals an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and take a chance on winning their…

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Tree Lighting Lights Up Town Common Tonight

Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with the ceremony kicking off at 5:30 p.m. and Santa making his arrival at 6 p.m.

Wilmington Residents to Shine at Annual Tree Lighting

The annual event, highlighted by an appearance from Santa, kicks off Saturday at 4 p.m.

Wilmington will shine brightly this weekend. And the lights will be pretty bright as well. Residents are expected to pack Town Common beginning at about 4 p.m. on Saturday for the annual tree lighting festivities. The event is highlighted by a visit from Santa, who will flip the switch on the town’s holiday light display. “People always turn out in large numbers, and take the opportunity to show their Wilmington spirit,” said Fourth of July Committee chairman Scott Garrant. “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.” Many of the same traditions will continue this year that have gone on for many years prior. There will be an ice sculpture sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and other businesses along with free hayrides for residents…

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PHOTOS: Town Readies For Tree Lighting Ceremony

For the last several weeks, town workers have slowly but surely stringing thousands of lights on the trees of Town Common.

Wilmington's annual tree lighting ceremony is still several weeks away, but Scott Smith has been hard at work for weeks. Smith, the town's tree foreman, has been stationed on Town Common with his fellow town employees stringing lights on the trees in the area to prepare for the annual event. On Election Day, Smith was hard at work along with general foreman Jerry Lawrenson and others, perched high above the ground looping the colorful bulbs on the Town Common trees. This year's Holiday Tree Lighting is slated for Saturday, December 1. 

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Annual Tree Ceremony Lights Up Town Common [VIDEO]

Residents officially in the holiday spirit.

This year, even Mother Nature seemed to cooperate as The Fourth Of July Committee hosted Wilmington’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday Night. The sky was clear and the weather was just cold enough to remind us that Christmas is right around the corner. Crowds of families began to gather on The Town Common at 4:30 p.m. to patiently wait for the big moment. With plenty of activities including hayrides, hot chocolate and cookies, a model train display, holiday music and carolers, there was plenty of holiday spirit to go around. As in the past, a highlight of the evening was the annual ice sculpture sponsored by The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The final design is a well guarded secret and the sculptor worked tirelessly throughout …

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Lights Will Shine Bright on Town Common Saturday

Tree lighting ceremony slated for 4:30 p.m.

As the old song says, it is indeed beginning to look a lot like Christmas. In Wilmington, that’s especially true on Saturday. The town holds its annual tree lighting ceremony Saturday night on Town Common, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with hayrides and other family activities. The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. and the lights will officially turn on at 6 p.m. “The annual tree lighting is not only any opportunity for Wilmington families to come together to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season, but, like so many other events in town, it is also an opportunity to gather as a community,” said Scott Garrant, board member of the Fourth of July Committee, which organizes the lighting. “It is an opportunity to see friends and neighbors and to …

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Question of the Day

Question of the Day: What's Your Favorite Part of the Tree Lighting?

Answer our Question of the Day in the comments section below.

Town Common will have a new look after this weekend. That's because the Fourth of July Committee Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place Saturday beginning with hayrides and hot chocolate around the common. It's a great event for the entire family, and always draws a big crowd to officially kick off the holiday season. So for today's question, we want to know your favorite part of the evening, and why. Vote in our poll below and share your favorite lighting memories from the past in the comments section. Check back first thing Saturday for a preview of the event, and on Monday for complete coverage.

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Get Out

'Get Out' With Holiday Fun This Weekend

We bring you a holiday themed weekend planner.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore. 1. HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR Where/When: Wilmington Housing for the Elderly, Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Why Go: Celebrate the holidays on Deming Way on Saturday as the Deming Way Tenants Association has its annual holiday craft fair. The proceeds will go to support the association's planned activities and special projects. Pricing: You decide. 2. FESTIVAL OF THE TREES Where/When: Villanova Hall, Sunday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Why Go: This is a family friendly holiday event that includes raffles of holiday …

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Holiday Events on the Horizon in Wilmington

Festival of the Trees and ornament sales celebrate the season.

It's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but it's still not too early to think about the next holiday season. The Women of Wilmington host Festival of Trees on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Villanova Hall, a family event that lasts throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the festivitites, families can take part in raffles of holiday trees, wreaths and baskets, purchase baked good, listen to holiday music at 2 p.m., and share a special visit with Mrs. Claus who will share holiday stories at 4 p.m. Another group is already getting in the spirit as well.  Wilmington Community Fund is selling the 2011 holiday ornament, The Country Inn, for $10 each or two for $15. All proceeds support the WCF mission of People Helping People. In addition, the ornaments…

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