Last year's New Berlin Christmas Tree lighting event. This year, the annual Christmas Tree lighting will start at 6 p.m., December 6, located at Hyde Park on North Main Street. (ES file photo)

By Jessica Benson

Evening Sun Contributor

NEW BERLIN – The holiday season begins for New Berlin residents this weekend as the village hosts their annual tree lighting celebration Saturday at 6 p.m. in Hyde Park. This year’s event will include music, dancing, food and fun.

New Berlin Mayor, Peter Lennon, explained the New Berlin Tree Lighting celebration has been an important community event for at least ten years, but it has recently grown in popularity. “We’ve really ratcheted it up in the last three or four years,” he said. This year’s event will include a musical performance by the Village Voices and dance numbers by the Otsego School of Dance and Performing Arts.

In addition, Santa Claus will take pictures with children in the Hyde Park gazebo, which has been decorated for the event by Andreia Keller, Artistic Director of the New Berlin Cultural Center. Keller explained her goal is to make the season magical for the children. Chili and cookies will be provided by area churches at no cost. Local businesses are also supporting the event by providing free toys for area children.

“My goal is to get people to see the character and beauty of our area and community,” Lennon said. “New Berlin is a special place with great people.”

Holiday celebrations will continue in New Berlin the following weekend. On Sunday, December 14th, The Village Voices will perform their annual holiday concert at 6 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Church. Spectators are asked for a free-will donation for the event. In past years, the show has “sold out” with 175 to 200 people in attendance.

The event will “showcase local talent and celebrate the season,” Lennon said.