AGAWAM — Two festive tree lighting ceremonies, one in Feeding Hills Center on the green near Granger School and the other in Agawam Center on the Veterans Memorial Green in front of Phelps School, brought the community together in the spirit of the holidays.
More than 400 people attended the winter events, Dec. 7 in Feeding Hills and Dec. 8 in Agawam. There was free hot cocoa and cookies at both locations as well as holiday music, photos with Santa Claus and caroling. Paul Sawyer, who teaches music at Phelps and Sapelli schools, led the singing.
Dawn and David DeMatteo helped to create the first town-wide “Community Tree Lightings with Cocoa and Caroling” event. It expanded the single-tree lighting ceremony that Granger School has hosted for the past several years.
PTOs at all four elementary schools and the Early Childhood Center organized both events. School families provided cookies and other baked goods that were served by members of the high school’s National Honor Society.
“This year’s tree lighting was great. Blending the two schools was nice. I hope in the future we can do more together so the kids become familiar with each other,” said Stephanie Pettazzoni, the parent of a Granger fourth grader.
“A wonderful night was had by all,” said Dawn DeMatteo. “We look forward to this being yearly tradition in Agawam for years to come.”
