Happy holidays, everyone! I’m writing this as I’ve just returned from what was a truly entertaining, colorful and well-appreciated event, our annual Christmas tree-lighting celebration. You should have seen the excitement and smiles on the children’s faces when Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared, then met them up close and personally.

While I’ve attended many tree lightings, this one was extra special, as the newly relocated event was not only a memorable evening of seasonal fun and entertainment, the more spacious site opened the door for planning an even larger, more entertaining and spirited event.

As mayor, when it comes to our community events, it always gives me great satisfaction to see such great turnouts, knowing your community support and enjoyment of our resources continue.

The brainchild of current borough Manager Brian Welsko and former manager LeRoy Brobst, moving and expanding this much-anticipated annual event brought out the best in everyone involved. Meghan Case, borough administrative assistant, hunted down the best deals, secured the colorful lights and lawn ornamentation and took family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Joey Weber constructed Santa’s sleigh from scratch, and public works Supervisor Rich Ackerman’s crews set up the bandshell and lawn ornaments and wired and wrapped all the trees.

The teamwork I witnessed was incredible. Given the many compliments we’ve already received, it openly demonstrates this relocation was the right decision by Brian, LeRoy and company.

I understand there were also tradition-bound detractors to this move. To them, know this change was made for practical and aesthetic reasons. Aesthetically, we have the largest and fullest tree that’s ever been used already in place, foregoing the need to search for and harvest a tree every year. It also eliminates the time and cost of our public works employees to retrieve the tree and position it on Main Street.

Now, we have much more room for decorations, additional venues and Christmastime attractions. Think “Winter Wonderland.”

Safety wise, the position of the tree and bandshell at the back of the recreation center’s parking lot removes the threat of traffic issues, as we formerly experienced at the intersections of Main Street and Laubach Avenue. Now, Main Street remains open, without the need of the fire police to monitor both ends of the street closing.

Changing a tradition is not always popular, but know we’ve been changing traditions for as long as I can remember. Did you know there was a time when the Jack Frost Parade ran from 10th Street north to 24th Street, or that it also ran south on Main Street down to the former Miller’s Dinner, turning north onto Washington Avenue, or that it formerly ran from Redner’s parking lot down to Ninth Street, as I understand?

I also understand the tree’s location on the triangle at Main Street was not its first stop either.

The only constant is change, and we continue to evolve as a community. Know that when these decisions are made by your borough staff, I can assure you they’re done in the spirit to “Build a Better Northampton.” I invite everyone to stop by and see the colorful trees and the lawn decorations. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s one beautiful site, worthy of hosting a new tradition.

Adding to the joy of the season, which started with the Christmas tree lighting, Northampton Borough Fire Department will be hosting the annual Santa Run Dec. 14, beginning noon.

To participate, you’ll need to drop off your gift 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11-13 at the fire station, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive. There is a limit of one gift per child, and it must not exceed the size of a shoe box. Additionally, you must live within the borough, providing the address, child’s name and parent’s phone number.

I’m very proud of our selfless fire department for providing this opportunity. The smiles on the children’s faces when Santa arrives on that fire truck is truly priceless, adding to the joy of the season.

To wrap it up for now, I want to wholeheartedly wish each and every one a very merry Christmas, filled with plenty of family enjoyment and the joy, peace and love this season encompasses.

Be good to each other, and spread the goodwill I know we all have inside of us. Peace!