EVA holds tree lighting for Emmet Christmas

EMMET – A tree lighting ceremony officially kicked off the Christmas season in Emmet Saturday evening.

DeAnna Allen, president of the Emmet Vision Association (EVA), said the idea is to grow this event and make it bigger every year to help Emmet survive. There was plenty for people to do at the ceremony as the walking track at Firemen’s Park had memory trees lit up. These trees, she said, were done in memory of family members and had signs. Visitors could also grab some cookies and hot chocolate, and youngsters could make reindeer food so Santa’s reindeer could find them and get a snack on Christmas Eve, along with writing letters to Santa.

As to the letters, Allen said the mailbox will be moved to City Hall so children who couldn’t make it to the lighting could drop off their Santa letters and let the jolly old elf know what they want for Christmas.

Emmet Mayor Dale Booker welcomed everyone, saying a lot of work went into preparing for the lighting. He said it was all thanks to the EVA.

Marc Crowley read the Christmas story and carols were played for the crowd’s enjoyment.

Allen thanked the volunteers, many of whom were high school students, for their help, saying this wouldn’t have been possible without their help.