AMHERST — The original maple that has lent its name to the Merry Maple celebration since the mid 1970s will again be lit up Friday, though it’s possible this could be the last holiday season the aging tree is part of the event.
Though plans are being considered by town officials to renovate the North Common in front of Town Hall, and possibly take down the large maple tree, the Merry Maple ceremony, in its 43rd year, will go on as usual, with the lighting at 5 p.m.
Ann Tweedy, marketing diretcor for the Amherst Business Improvement District, said an employee at Snow & Sons Landscaping, despite heavy downpours, recently restrung the lights on the large tree.
In addition, maple trees at two other downtown green spaces, Sweetser Park and Kendrick Park, will be lit at the same time.
The Merry Maple event begins at 3 p.m. with an open house at the Central Fire Station, with hayrides around the Town Common by Muddy Brook Farm starting at 4 p.m., and a live performance by members of the Amherst Regional High School Chorale and Hurricane Singers from the steps of Town Hall at 4:30 p.m.
The 5 p.m. lighting will feature The DQ, an a cappella group from Amherst College, singing below the tree and leading the countdown to the switch being turned on.
Arriving as the tree is lighted will be the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, which will lead Santa Claus, portrayed for the second year by Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, on a town fire engine.
Starting at 4 p.m. at the Strong House will be crafts and solstice storytelling coordinated by Jones Library librarian Mia Cabana, with Santa and Flakey, the mascot for WinterFest, dropping by at 6 p.m.
Cider doughnuts and hot chocolate from Atkins Farm Country Market will be served and elf hats will be provided by TD Bank.
The Merry Maple launches the holiday season in Amherst.
“The Merry Maple is an event for the kid in all of us,” said Claudia Pazmany, the chamber’s executive director.
During the event,. the Amherst BID will hand out sacks for Saturday’s Pack the Sack Day, when about 30 businesses offering discounts. A honk-style brass band, Prone to Mischief, will be strolling and stopping in businesses for 10-minute blasts that day.
On Dec. 6, Arts Night Plus takes place in downtown. The Amherst BID will use that evening to promote the annual holiday window decorating contest, which runs through Dec. 21.
And on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m., the Amherst Community Band, conducted by UMass Minuteman Marching Band Conductor Timothy Todd Anderson, is holding a free concert at Mercy House.
