Santa Claus rides into Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21 for the annual lighting of the square which included singing Christmas Carols and pictures with Santa, which were done outside under the Gazebo, due to COVID. Sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven’s Benoit Square welcomed Santa Claus and the public for the lighting of the Square on Friday, 12/3/21. Last year’s event was not promoted to the public due to COVID, but this year the square was filled with a couple of hundred children of all ages who helped with the singing, and got to have their pictures taken with Santa.
Former Miss New Bedford and Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Olivia Marques, and Mia Mitchell, who is this year’s Miss Bristol County Outstanding Teen, led the singing. It was her first event as Miss BCOT, as she was only crowned the week before.
Then Santa arrived as they sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” (what else?). This year, due to COVID precautions, the children stayed outside to have their pictures taken with Santa under the gazebo. They still got their coloring books, though, and a jolly happy elf mingled through the crowd giving out candy canes.
The Gazebo at Benoit Square in Fairhaven is all lit up for the holidays on 12/6/21. Photo by Beth David.
On behalf of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association, which sponsored the event, Mrs. Claus thanked the Fairhaven Police Department, Fairhaven Emergency Management, Matt Paulson and Alex Keuchler from the Fairhaven Protecting Society, Stanley Remillard, Ms. Marques and Ms. Mitchell, NFIA members, Santa and the elves.
She also thanked the set-up volunteers: Troop 52, Fairhaven High School volunteers, NFIA members and their families; and those who donated supplies and money: Sue Leclere, Tom and Paula Cabral, Michael Fluerent, Peter DeTerra, Carol Mercer, Douglas Family Tree Farm, Rui DaSilva.
Benoit Square is at the merger of Main and Adams Street in North Fairhaven at the top of Howland Road. The lights will stay on through the new year.
This young’un is clearly taken with Santa as he poses for a picture with the Big Guy at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
This little one is prepared with her musical sleigh bells during the Christmas Carol singing at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
This Santa is a regular at Benoit Square in Fairhaven, which is all lit up for the 2021 holiday season. Photo by Beth David.
The nutcracker at Benoit Square in Fairhaven has been all spruced up for the 2021 season. Photo by Beth David.
Volunteers and members of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus under the gazebo at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the NFIA. Photo by Beth David.
Mia Mitchell, Miss Bristol County Outstanding Teen, leads the crowd singing Christmas Carols at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
This youngster holds up a gift for Santa while taking pictures with the Big Guy at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
Santa’s elf reacts during her conversation with a child on the way to have a picture taken with Santa at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
This little one is definitely not sure of this part of the program at the annual lighting of Fairhaven’s Benoit Square on 12/3/21, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association. Photo by Beth David.
The sign at Benoit Square in Fairhaven welcomes all to enjoy the season. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the entire 12/9/21 issue: 12-09-21 BenoitSqSanta
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