East Norwalk TTD Holiday Tree Lighting Features Festive Music, Visit From Santa

NORWALK, CT — Capping off a weekend filled with holiday events throughout the city, the Third Taxing District hosted its annual tree lighting event Sunday night at the Roger Ludlow Triangle park in East Norwalk.

Families were invited to enjoy holiday music provided by The Underdogs and snack on cookies, hot chocolate and other refreshments provided by the Norwalk Art Space Cafe as they waited for the park's 18-foot Norway spruce to be lit.

Mayor Harry Rilling and other city officials were in attendance for the festivities, hosted by TTD General Manager Kevin Barber.

Three TTD Commission members also spoke during the event: Chairperson Johnnie Mae Weldon and commissioners Pamela Parkington and Michele Sweeney.

Once the tree was lit, The Underdogs led the crowd in singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" as Jolly Old St. Nick himself arrived in a TTD bucket truck covered in holiday lights. Santa also took time to visit with children in front of the tree.

"A great night was had by all. Santa Claus came, we lit the tree," a TTD spokesperson said to Patch. "This is an annual traditional event enjoyed every year by the residents of East Norwalk and others in the city. The whole TTD team was proud to once again present this event as a gift to everyone in East Norwalk and beyond."

The event is also an opportunity for the taxing district to give back to the community, as TTD uses the tree lighting to launch its annual food and toy drive, during which businesses and individuals can drop off non-perishable food and unwrapped toys in the lobby of the Third Taxing District Electric Department, located at 2 Second Street.

This year, the recipient for the food drive is the Society St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Thomas Church on East Avenue.

The toys will once again go to Dylan's Army and Charlotte's Web of Prayer for distribution to the Norwalk Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital pediatric units, according to a spokesperson.

Planning for the beloved annual event by TTD Assistant General Manager Ron Scofield and Barber began back in October.

In addition to the TTD event, the city's annual tree lighting celebration took place Friday night at City Hall, which was followed by Norwalk's annual Holiday Extravaganza and Marketplace event Saturday night on Washington Street.

Wall Street Wonderland, an event on River Street in Norwalk, is currently scheduled to be held Dec. 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.