By Beth David, Editor
The North Fairhaven Improvement Association hosted the annual lighting of Benoit Square with hundreds of people attending to sing along with “the princesses” until Santa arrived on Saturday, 12/2/22.
Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz and Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge led the singing, and Santa’s elves helped children and their adults find their way to the big guy for photos and an opportunity to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
Free hot chocolate warmed the insides, and Adams Street was closed to traffic. Children who braved a visit with Santa also received a coloring book and crayons. The event was free and open to the public.
Taking advantage of a clear and relatively mild night, the Big Guy sat in the gazebo to greet children. He arrived and left on Fairhaven’s antique fire truck, driven by Alex Kuechler carrying on a family tradition started by his grandfather, John Rogers.
Most children were giddy with delight to meet Santa, but a couple were a bit hesitant, including young Gabby who cried, and Lt. David Sobral’s grandchild who simply refused to look at the Big Guy and practically jumped out of her grandfather’s arms. But, for the most part, it was a positive experience.
The square will be lit up until the first week in January.
Jodi Duval of the NFIA thanked the following people and organizations for making the night possible: Fairhaven Emergency Management, Fairhaven Police Department, Stanley Remillard, Matt Paulson and Alex Keuchler with the Fairhaven Protection Society, Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge, Miss New Bedford Scholarship Program, Troop 52 Fairhaven, J&L Beaulieu Farm Stand, Douglas Family, the NFIA members and their friends and family.
To learn more about the NFIA and its events, and to help take down the lights in January, visit https://northfairhavenimprovementassoc.weebly.com/ or email northfairhavenimprovement267@gmail.com
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- One youngster makes sure his moment with Santa counts, telling him everything he wants for Christmas at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- A couple of siblings smile for their adults while hanging with Santa at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Santa Claus leaves the way he came, on the antique fire truck, after hanging out with children and their adults at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Decorations in Benoit Square in Fairhaven, at the merger of Adams and Main Streets, will be lit up until the first week in January. Photo by Beth David.
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- Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge (LEFT) and Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz get their time with the Big Guy at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Todd Krosschell, Everly, and Seth Baumgartner pose for the local free sheet after Everly spoke with Santa at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Granddad Joe Kennedy enjoys a moment with Cordelia Kennedy Mello after she saw Santa and received a free coloring book and crayons at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Jeannine Lopes (LEFT) poses with some of her children and grandchildren while waiting for Santa to arrive at the annual lighting of Benoit Square in Fairhaven, at the merger of Adams and Main Streets, on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- The Gazebo in Benoit Square in Fairhaven, at the merger of Adams and Main Streets, is lit up for the holidays until the first week in January. Photo by Beth David.
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- Gabby is not as thrilled with Santa as some of the other kids at the annual lighting of Benoit Square in Fairhaven on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Children sing a Christmas Carol with Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz (LEFT), and Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge at the annual lighting of Benoit Square on 12/2/22. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the entire 12/8/22 issue: 12-08-22 BenoitLights
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