Agawam tree lighting wont be held this winter – MassLive.com

AGAWAM The town will skip its holiday tree lighting ceremony this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic, organizer Vakny Chonmany confirmed this week.

Chonmany said hes disappointed that the annual outdoor event wont be held, but public health is more important. He made the decision based on orders by Gov. Charlie Baker, which limit public gatherings to groups of 50 in all but the lowest-risk towns.

I want to cooperate with what the governors been putting out, and with what the law says, Chonmany said. Im not risking peoples lives just to do something.

Mayor William Sapelli said the town wont sponsor any public events during the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year season. He said the Department of Public Works will decorate town buildings and streetscapes as in previous years.

Sapelli said he may help private groups promote their modified events some churches in Agawam are planning drive-through celebrations, for instance but the town will not host one of its own.

Apart from this volunteer-run tree lighting, Agawam does not have an official town Christmas tree or holiday display.

This would have been the third year of a new tradition in town. Chonmany, who runs the Harnessing Muay Boran martial arts studio on Main Street, organized the event in 2018 after realizing Agawam didnt have any outdoor family events in the winter. With donations from local businesses and volunteer help, he decorated the gazebo and park at Veterans Green on Main Street and hosted an outdoor celebration, culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire truck.

Although various civic and church groups have sponsored annual craft fairs and visits from Santa, Agawam hadnt had a townwide outdoor Christmas event since 2013. The Agawam Clergy Association previously sponsored an annual outdoor Christmas tree lighting ceremony and candlelight carol singalong, also at Veterans Green.

Following the success of the 2018 tree lighting, Chonmany again led a volunteer effort to run the event last year. Local Freemasons and Lions served refreshments, the Agawam Public Library gave out free books and choirs from several Agawam schools performed.

Chonmany said he may try to organize a make-up community event in the spring, if COVID-19 guidelines will allow it.

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Agawam tree lighting wont be held this winter - MassLive.com