Southwick EMT Michael Perault adjusts an ornament on the Fire Association tree in the 2019 Winter Forest event. (FILE PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK — The annual Southwick Civic Fund Winter Forest and Craft Fair will be making its return to Town Hall this coming Saturday after having been canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though the event is just days away, Civic Fund President Joseph Deedy said that organizers are still taking sponsors to decorate Christmas trees that will be displayed in front of Town Hall. Deedy said that as of Tuesday morning, they expect between 20 and 25 trees to be on display.
“We are still in desperate need of tree sponsors,” said Deedy.
In addition to the Christmas tree display, the fair will feature children’s holiday craft activities, more than 20 local vendors selling Christmas craft items, baked goods from the local Girl Scouts, and a bonfire.
The fair will also feature a visit from Santa Claus, who will meet with visitors of all ages in the Senior Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m..
“With Parks and Recreation now merging with the Senior Center, it seems like a great fit to be getting the seniors involved,” said Deedy.
Deedy said that the Southwick 250th Anniversary trolley that was featured in the parade in October will also be on hand, this time decorated for the holidays.
All of the funds raised at the fair will support the Southwick Civic Fund, which puts on events like the Craft Fair and the annual Farm Parade.
To sponsor and decorate a tree, the sponsorship fee is $150 for an outdoor tree and $100 for an indoor tree, though space for the indoor trees is limited. The Civic Fund will provide the tree itself, but the sponsor will need to provide the ornaments.
At 4 p.m. during the fair, as the sun begins to set, students from Southwick Regional School will participate in the annual Torchlight Parade.
