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Outgoing City Council member Sue Brannelly did the honors, after receiving a state citation for her eight years of service to Bridgeport.
“This is the most amazing neighborhood,” she said. “Thank you so much for the honor.”
New Mayor Joseph P. Ganim smiled as he looked out over the families gathered at the field.
“There are so many young people here. That’s what this season is all about,” he said. “Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you for giving me the honor of serving as your mayor again.”
The tree lighting, which traditionally takes place at the flagpole at the corner of Brewster Street and Grovers Avenue, was moved to the field owned by St. Ann Church because of construction of a new pocket park at the intersection.
The Rev. Peter Lynch, St. Ann’s pastor, who blessed the tree, asked the crowd to pause for a moment of silence for the victims of last week’s terror attack in California. He asked for those gathered to be blessed by light and love.
“It’s times like these that give us hope,” he said.
The Black Rock School bell choir performed “O Tannenbaum,” followed by the combined St. Ann and Black Rock school choir singing a selection of holiday favorites, including “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Santa arrived in style on a city firetruck and he was quickly mobbed with candy cane-seeking children. As more seasonal tunes played over the loudspeaker, neighbors began making their way to the S.S. Norden Club for the annual post-lighting Wassail party for Community Council members.
Community Council President Marni Kiernan reminded those gathered that the council placed holiday banners throughout the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare and recently gave a significant donation to the Black Rock Food Pantry. The group is a sponsor of the Black Rock Farmers Market and organizes the popular Black Rock Day each summer.
She encouraged onlookers to consider membership and head to the Norden Club for more fun.
“And next year we’ll be back at the flagpole. (The construction) will be done and it should be great,” she said.
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