Belmont's 'Turn On The Town' Turns Out Wonderful

It took a few seconds for the town's Christmas tree to light up and Santa Claus needed a bit of help from a pair of fire fighters to get off the 's ladder truck he rode into town.

But for the crowd that packed Belmont Center Wednesday evening, Dec. 2,  at the annual celebration, those tiny glitches could not wash away the overwhelming sense of joy and good tiding that enveloped the town's main street.

Sponsored by the and organized by the Belmont Activities Committee, "Turn on the Town" allowed residents for the 20th  annual time to mark the day the town center is lit up for the holidays – this year with strings of LED lights – along Leonard Street and see what Santa was wearing this year.

Belmont merchants Wednesday offered treats, glow necklaces, jingle bells and more. Festivities included holiday crafts, hot cocoa, and face painting, as well as cupcake decorating and visits by Frosty and Rudolph.  High School musicians and a chorus from United Methodist Church sang carols in the streets. 

But it was Santa who most residents under the age of six were desperately attempted to negotiate a deal with. Sitting in the Bank of America, Mr. Claus patiently sat one child after another onto his lap and spoke to them as happy parents snapped cell-phone photos of the meeting.