Published December 06. 2021 01:31PM
The lighting of the community Christmas tree at Depot Square Park on Sunday wrapped up the four-day Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival.
The 41-member Tamaqua Area High School Jazz Chorale under the direction of John Buglio performed for more than 200 who showed up to welcome the lights of the holiday tree.
The a cappella group serenaded with favorites, performing tunes such as “Carol of the Bells” and “O Holy Night.”
“It’s great to live in a town like this,” said speaker Dan Odorizzi, 2021 recipient of the Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Nathan Gerace welcomed the crowd.
Volunteers Judy Hoppes, committee chairman, and Linda Heigele decorated the gazebo with luminaria.
The holiday tree, planted years ago, has since grown to more than 15 feet high. It was trimmed in white lights by Frank Fabrizio of Brockton.
The Tamaqua Area High School Jazz Chorale under the direction of John Buglio serenades a crowd of 200 Sunday night at the Community Tree Lighting. DONALD R. SERFASS/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The Tamaqua Community Christmas Tree has grown large over the years. At right, the Tamaqua Area High School Jazz Chorale can be seen performing adjacent to the decorated gazebo. DONALD R. SERFASS/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS