Holiday Cheer in the South End

BCA Tree Lighting

Entertainment, art activities and refreshments from local businesses greeted neighbors who thronged to the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) Plaza on Tremont Street to await a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, toy soldiers and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on Saturday afternoon, December 2.

Joining their retinue was Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who greeted the crowd and welcomed Santa, and state representative Aaron Michlewitz, city councilor at large Annissa Essaibi-George, District 2 city councilor-elect Ed Flynn and South End/Bay Village liaison Faisa Sharif mingled with residents.

The festive event, part of the citywide Enchanted Trolley Tour sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment, was organized locally by the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association and the BCA.

According to Emilio Gonzalez, director of community relations for the BCA, several hundred people attended the event, which offered a wide range of activities to amuse guests while they waited for the special guests, who were significantly delayed from their anticipated 4:30 arrival time.

Entertainment included music by the Community Music Center of Boston's Youth Chorus and High School Trumpeters; two a cappella groups from Boston College, all-female the Sharps and all-male group the Heightsmen as well as an ornament-making led by local artist Eleanor Mary Cepko.

The Ellis provided donut holes from Blackbird Doughnuts, 492 Tremont Street, and coffee from Muscarella's Market, which recently opened in the former Five 70 Market space on Tremont Street, and the South End Business Alliance contributed pizza from Nicole's, 639 Tremont Street.

Excited parents and children gathered by the curb as the Enchanted Trolley's police escort pulled up to the BCA Plaza at approximately 5:10.

Mayor Walsh offered his greetings before the elves let down the steps and invited children onto the trolley, listening to the kids' Christmas wishes as proud parents snapped pictures. Afterward, the Mayor and Rudolph circulated among the crowd, greeting guests and posing for pictures.