Candlelighting held at Roscoe Village
Historic Roscoe Village held the first of its annual Christmas Candlelighting Ceremonies on Dec. 2.
The village Christmas tree and candlelighting has been a tradition in the village for 52 years. In the early 1950s the Montgomery Family planted 100 trees on their property at the top of Roscoe Hill. The trees had grown large enough to harvest by the 70s and Mrs. Montgomery would go out and select the perfect tree for the village Christmas tree each year. In the late 1980s the trees had grown too large to move and so the community was invited to provide the annual tree beginning in 1989. This year’s Christmas tree was provided by the Mike Jameson family. The tree was planted on the Jameson’s property about 29 years ago.
Visitors were invited to spend the entire day in the village enjoying the shops and other holiday activities including Christmas crafts, hot mulled cider, roasted chestnuts, festive cookies and exploring traditions of the past on a trip back in time with the Roscoe Christmas tour.
Jenna Braun and children Jameson 4-years-old and Jolie 1-year-old traveled from Holmes County for the event. “This is our first time here,” she said. “We went in the buildings and they got to see Santa. We heard the strolling Christmas carolers singing and the choir. The kids are enjoying the sweets. We are really enjoying ourselves. It is so nice here. ”
At 6 p.m. on the main stage the annual tradition began with the tree lighting ceremony. Pastor Sam Brown from Calvary Baptist Church gave the invocation, Miss Ohio, Madison Miller was the honorary appointee to light the first candle passing on the flame to a member of the audience. She welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to this event and encouraged everyone to get to know each other.
Haley Evans along with the Ridgewood High school choir sang as the flame was passed along.
The second and final ceremony for this year will be held Saturday, Dec. 9 on the Main Stage in the village. A holiday story will be read by a guest storyteller each night. The choir will then sing “Silent Night” while visitors join in, lighting their candle and passing the flame from person to person.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
