While the Haymarket Holiday Parade was cancelled last week due to rain, Haymarket welcomed an intimate gathering of residents to celebrate its tree lighting Saturday.
Haymarket Town residents gathered along Washington Street to witness a tree lighting and small bonfire, meet with Santa Claus and drink hot coco along Washington Street in unseasonably warm weather.
Most of the attendees were new to Haymarket and Northern Virginia, and said they were excited to start a new tradition in new town.
“It’s very nice. We decided to make the tree lighting a tradition,” said, fifth grader Brooklyn Jones, whose family recently moved to Haymarket from Jacksonville, Fl.
“It’s been fun here. I’ve met a lot of new friends, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen snow," he said.
Courtney Ippolitio brought her two long boys to see Santa and the Christmas tree.
“It’s tradition, watching a tree being lit, and it’s Christmasy,” she said.
Glicell Rodriguez came out with her husband, two children, who are 10 and 13-years-old, and neighbors.
“We just moved here last year. We always like to participate in Haymarket Day and October Fest. It’s been a day to be out with the family and we even had some friends visit,” Rodriguez said.
Along with the hot chocolate, coffee and cookies, Prince William Fire Fighters from the Haymarket area stood watching the bonfire. Fire fighters said a few of them needed to be there to make sure the fire was safe, but others wanted to be a part of the community gathering.
“The police department asked [us to be here] since there’s a fire, to see that it’s safe. It is a little breezy,” said Prince William Fire Department Battalion Chief Brian Cooke. “We like to be a part of the community, talk to the citizens and have a presence [in town.]”
Around 5 p.m., Haymarket Mayor David Leeke lit the town tree, which included white and gold LED lights. People took photos, and children played tag around the tree.
After the tree lighting more residents commented that it was a unique Haymarket event, and that they were fortunate to live in a town that has holiday events.
“My mother is from California, and I just thought it would be a nice small town thing to do,” Julie Timmons said.
Her mother said she enjoyed it as well, saying the town had a “quaint” feel to it.
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