Tree lighting kicks off holiday season

By CHARITY SMITH

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Ironwood - Slight flurries helped to boost the Christmas spirit as the Jack Frost tree was lit at the Depot Park on Thursday night.

"The Jack Frost Festival of Lights will begin tonight," said Mike Meyer, executive director of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce to a crowd of approximately 50 people gathered near the tree as the bell rang out to mark the 6 o'clock hour. "As you can see, we have lights all around us and tonight we are going to light the biggest light of all (the tree).... Now if it would just snow a little bit more, it will look a little bit more like Christmas."

Meyer then introduced Ironwood Mayor Kim Cocoran who spoke on the importance of the annual ceremony. "It's just a good kick off for what's to come," she said. "The lighting is great tradition to have people here and to kick off our season."

Cocoran admitted that COVID has brought a lot of challenges, but said she is hopeful that things are now moving in the right direction so that more events will occur and people can get together more. She said she hoped the increase in events will shed a positive light so that people can go into the new year with new hope and aspirations.

"Hopefully, we'll see a better year then what we've seen in the past couple (years)," said Cocoran.

Winter can be a symbol of a time of change and is usually a good time for self reflection, resolutions and rejoicing with family and friends, said Cocoran. She thanked mother nature for providing the snow as "a sample of what's to come." She said the soft snow can be a symbol for purity and calmness.

Following the mayor's speech, Meyer knelt under the tree and plugged in the cord to illuminate the tree, for the first time this year. The crowd erupted with applause and cheers. Small children got wide-eyed and jumped up and down as they applauded and cheered. The crowd then moved into the depot for refreshments, which included a meat and cheese tray, vegetable tray and sweet trays from a local bakery.

Meyer then played a selection of Christmas carols on the depot's 1905 organ, which came from the home of a Finnish farmer in the area. The lyrics to some popular Christmas songs were handed out, so that all could join in the serenade. The songs included "Oh, Christmas Tree," "Up on the Housetop" and "Jingle Bells."

"I think it is very important that we don't forget traditions, that we keep things like this going," said Cocoran. "It's important to keep the magic of the season and to have faith in symbolism and everything that it brings."

The Christmas tree can be symbol of religion, but it is also a symbol for us to remember to kindle the fire of hospitality, and remind us to be kind and grateful, to provide hope for humanity and to be a light for others in the world, said Cocoran. She encouraged the crowd to have willingness to share with others, especially those less fortunate.

"It is with this intention that we will find the most joy and peace during the holidays that mean so much to us," she said.