Holiday Events fill South End with lights, color, song and fun

Holiday music, Christmas trees, food and throngs of happy residents warmed up South End parks on the frosty weekend of Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8. The Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association (B/FSNA) held its annual tree and wreath sale under bright sunshine on Saturday, December 8, with refreshments, live music and Santa on hand to greet shoppers as they bought their holiday greenery.
B/FSNA spokesperson David Stone estimated 400 shoppers and browsers came by as Isabel Crespo and guitarist Skyler Hill set a festive mood in the square, resulting in the sale of 82 Christmas trees and 140 wreaths, and B/FSNA donated 9 trees to St. Stephen's church to be distributed to households in need. B/FSNA also donated wreaths to decorate Worcester Square.
Blackstone Innovation School, Leggat McCall and the South End Business Alliance (SEBA) made donations to support the event. Stone was not able to provide the specific amount of proceeds from the sale at press time, but called the tree and wreath sale a "significant annual fundraiser." After dark, the Enchanted Trolley Tour brought Mayor Martin J. Walsh, District 2 City Councilor Edward Flynn, state representative Jon Santiago, Mix 104.1 FM's Fast Freddy and special guests, Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves to entertain and hear Christmas wishes at Blackstone Square.
A couple of blocks away, the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) held its annual tree lighting beginning at 4:00 PM, with Penni Layne and the Wonder Boys filling the air with jazzy renditions of holiday classics; food and drink including pizza from Café Quattro, Mike's City Diner, Blunch, Jaho Coffee and other local establishments; a raffle benefiting WSANA and a local charity offering gift certificates and experiences from Toro restaurant, Orinoco: A Venezuelan Kitchen, Bar Lyon, Flour Bakery, Olympia Florist, Barre 3, Boston Duck Tours and more, with a top prize of $500 cash.
The centerpiece of the occasion as usual was the lighting of a tall, majestic tree in the middle of the square, followed by a visit from Santa, who listened to the children's gift requests. WSANA president George Stergios estimated attendance at approximately 200 people. did not have a fundraising total from the raffle at press time, and the group will choose a beneficiary for part of the proceeds at its January meeting.
On Sunday, December 8, about 20 neighbors of all ages, joined by councilor Flynn and his family, gathered in Hayes Park for a caroling party sponsored by the Friends of Hayes Park. The Friends group provided a leader of song, song books, hot cider and baked goods to warm carolers' bodies and spirits.