General Information About Item:

• Material Lore, Item
• Customary Lore, yearly festival
• Language: English
• Country of Origin: United States
• Informant: G.G. Age 19
• Date Collected: 11-06-2021

Informant Data:

• G.G. is a sophomore at the University of Vermont School of Nursing and she is from Dover Plains, New York. When she isn’t studying, she pursues the fine arts as both a dancer and a studio artist. She is also from a Catholic family.

Contextual Data:

• Cultural Context: There are historical symbolisms of both the tree and the lights that go on it that are celebrated internationally. The tree is believed to represent growth and continuation through dark times while the lights are a symbol of the returning lights in the days to come after the solstice.
• Social Context: This practice was brought up when asked about notable traditions or events she has during Christmas time. Tree lightings are popular in town and city settings as a way to instill hope on both an individual and communal level.

Item:

• The tree lighting festival, much like many other festivals, is a night long celebration with activities and food that all lead up to one grand moment: turning on the lights of the Christmas tree. The festival specific to G.G.’s town, Dover Plains, consists of all the stereotypical westernized Christmas activities. This includes starting with a small parade of the Claus’ along with sitting on Santa’s lap, hot chocolate drinking, and ice skating. However, the true moment of unity is the lighting of the tree itself that represents the beginning of the Christmas season and the return of light.

Transcript:

• “Every year my town hosts a tree lighting event at the local park to signify the start of the Christmas season. It is usually held at the beginning of December around the time the big tree is lit up in New York City. Just off of the parking lot, there is a path of glowing nutcrackers that leads to an area under the pavilion where the main event occurs. There, hot chocolate is served along with a bunch of other pastries provided by the town’s recreational department. Being that it is usually very cold at the time that this event is held, holding the cups of hot chocolate is the only thing that keeps most people warm as they walk around and talk to friends. Something that I have remembered happening at the tree lighting since is a Christmas parade that starts in the driveway of the elementary school across the street and ends in front of the tree. The girl scouts and boy scouts march across the street followed by two fire trucks and Santa in the hood of a truck with Mrs. Claus. The parade is headed by snowmen and polar bears who then spend the night walking around talking pictures with all the kids. From the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus goes into the recreational building the tree lighting is held outside of. Kids line up outside of this building, write a letter to Santa, and give it to him prior to sitting on his lap and telling him what they want for Christmas. What is cool about this event is that each kid who writes a letter will get one back a week or so letter from “Santa” himself. The night ends with the lighting of the tree. Frozen at this point, everyone bundles together and stands around the tree decorated with lights and all sorts of decorations. A countdown starts, and when we hit one the tree lights up. Because the tree is so massive, it shines all across the town . The tree will stay lit up until the end of the Christmas season, and this event is something I’m sure will happen in my town for years and years to come. ”

Informant’s Comments:

• “I don’t think anyone in our town participates in any other event as much as this one. It’s especially odd to see how many people actually want to wear the snowmen and polar bear mascots.”

Collector’s Comments:

• Much like the other festivities around Christmas, a lot of the stereotypical and westernized traditions happen in large settings while the cultural roots are seen on more of a familial or more intimate setting. However, it is quite notable the the means of the celebration often don’t matter at all because the symbols and ideas behind them are all similar in the sense that they emphasize hope and togetherness.

Collected By:

Dylan Lawler

Dover Plains, NY

Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

RUSS013

Fall 2021