STAMFORD, Conn. Mayor Michael Pavia ensured a nice turnout for the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the Stamford Government Center. He issued an executive order to all city employees forbidding them from leaving the building during the event.
His edict worked without much arm-twisting as 50 or so city workers, most decked out in Santa hats and Christmas sweaters, filled the lobby and belted out Christmas carols. Leading the singers was Esther Lobrandi, who works in the technology department.
It gives everyone a good feeling to start the holiday season, said Sue Greene, who works in the Tax Assessors office.
Along with traditional carols, the crowd also sang a revised version of Deck the Halls, with the added line: Watch the Mayor light the tree. Once it was sung, the lights on the tree were lit. The make-shift choir then changed genres and closed the celebration with God Bless America.
There will be city-sponsored Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations later in the holiday season.
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