Tiny faces filled with glee

Await the lighting of the tree

But first the caroling creates the theme

Excitement builds — it’s lots of fun

Hot chocolate topped with real

whipped cream

10,9,8,7,6 and on to ONE and done!

The night is charged, the tree is lit

Yet something’s missing — incomplete

The flashing lights, the siren blaring

Santa is coming from down the street!

Their faces brighten, screams of joy

He is for real, not just a myth

A father hoists his baby boy

Euphoria transforms to utter bliss

The band creates a fitting welcome

The fire truck looms large surprise

Ho! Ho! Ho! And Merry Christmas!

Comes and goes before our eyes

How sweet it was the Town together

Sharing a tradition sweet and rare

Keep the memory to treasure

And see you next year in the square!

— Renee Balter

P.S. Big thanks to the following for making the Oak Bluffs Tree Lighting such a great event: Christine Todd, Mike Santoro and Jenn Toppin, OBFD Santa and Helpers OBPD, Jessica Johns, Nell Coogan, Julie Rodenbaugh, Richie Combra Jr. and Crew, Paul Mahoney, Vineyard Classic Brass, Deb and Jim Westervelt, Holly Alaimo, Brian Weiland and Paul Thurlow, Luke DeBettencourt, Eastaway-Basics, Phil daRosa.