Perfect Night for New Milford's Annual Tree Lighting

It was the perfect night for the town's annual tree lighting tradition and New Milford residents came out in impressive numbers to celebrate. Performances by the High School Jazz Ensemble Band and the Girl Scouts put the crowd into a festive mood.

Emceed by Darlene Minko, Chairwoman of the Special Events Committee, Mayor Ann Subrizi, along with Councilmembers Howard Berner, Randi Duffie, Celeste Scavetta, Diego Robalino, Dominic Colucci and Austin Ashley, as well as former Councilmember Peter Rebsch, were present onstage to participate in the evening's events.

Mayor Subrizi read a dedication to the Sofia family whose 6 1/2-year-old daughter Melisa died in her sleep on June 23 from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. The Sofia family, along with Danielle Petrolia, a cancer survivor who was the force in organizing and raising funds for last year's "Relay for Life," and Patch blogger Donna Colucci, who organized the "Labor of Love Barbecue" for those residents hit hardest by Hurricane Irene, were invited by Subrizi to light the tree.  

As soon as the tree was lit, Santa came down River Road on a fire truck festively outfitted with Christmas lights. Santa marched the procession of children inside Borough Hall where they all had an opportunity to visit with him while members of the VFW handed out goody bags filled with sweet treats.