![](https://fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Benoit_SantaArrives-300x200.jpg)
Santa arrives in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on an antique fire truck for the annual lighting of the square on 12/4/20, although the event had a smaller crowd and no sit-down with Santa due to COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
COVID may stop crowds, but it can’t stop the holiday spirit.
Usually Benoit Square is full of people on the night of the big lighting of the Christmas display, but this year, just about 20 people managed to find out about the event and showed up to enjoy it in person. Sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association, the annual lighting of Benoit Square usually involves singing by the crowd and a chance for children to see Santa.
This year, due to COVID restrictions, the event can be enjoyed by residents online. The Fairhaven public access channel recorded the event and will make it available on FairhavenTV.com on the Community Media Page.
So the usual suspects gathered on Friday, 12/4, to hear Miss Apple Peach Tori Kalisz, and Miss New Bedford Alyssa Maitoza, sing Christmas songs until Santa arrived on the antique fire truck. And the light switch got flipped to on.
![](https://fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BenoitSqGazebo-300x197.jpg)
The Gazebo at Benoit Square is all lit up and welcome for company on 12/6/20, a couple of days after the official lighting. Photo by Beth David.
Santa did hang around in the street awhile for some socially distanced photos, then he rode off into the darkness. But don’t worry, he promised to return on Christmas Eve.
“It’s just what the town needs,” said Pauline Parker, president of the NFIA. “We need a little Christmas.”
She said so many fun events could not take place this year so the NFIA was determined to keep the square lit up. Volunteers decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving.
When Ms. Parker addressed the crowd, she asked them to be sure to spread out (they were) and to keep their masks on (they all wore them). The group also had a sign-up sheet in case contact tracing is necessary.
![](https://fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BenoitSq_Connor_Kaylee-300x267.jpg)
Connor decides that Santa is just too scary and grabs onto his sister Kaylee while Miss New Bedford (left) Alyssa Maitoza and Miss Apple Peach Tori Kalisz try to help, during the annual lighting of the square on 12/4/20, although the event had a smaller crowd and no sit-down with Santa due to COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David.
Her thank-you list included EMA, Board of Health, police, the town; Ms. Kalisz and Ms. Maitoza for the entertainment; the set up crew, Troop 52, their parents and Troop leaders; Venture Crew; NFIA Members and their family; the donors who helped out with supplies and donations, Lena Lebrun, Sue Leclerc, Heidi Hacking, Peter Deterra, Barry Parker, Douglas tree Farm; Fairhaven TV and even the Neighb News.
Ms. Parker flipped the switch, and Ms. Kalisz said she was “filled with Christmas spirit.”
After a few Christmas carols, they sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” (okay, twice, there was a delay…ahem), and the Big Guy came in on the fire truck.
The event will be highlighted during the Town Hall Holiday Party on 12/18 (see page 5), and then will be available on FairhavenTV.com community media page.
![](https://fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BenoitSq_Lilly-200x300.jpg)
Lilly poses with the tree in the Gazebo at Benoit Square on 12/6/20, a couple of days after the official lighting of the square. Photo by Beth David.
![](https://fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BenoitSq_Helpers-300x175.jpg)
The volunteers of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association, incluidng elves and Mrs. Claus, are flanked by Miss Apple Peach Tori Kalisz (left) and Miss New Bedford Alyssa Maitoza (right) at the annual lighting of the square on 12/4/20, which had a smaller crowd and no sit-down with Santa due to COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by Beth David.
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