Holiday tree lighting: in photos

The 58th annual lighting of the trees on the Green was held Nov. 30. A crowd of residents and visitors flocked to the bandstand to ring in the holiday season. Santa made a special appearance from the North Pole and then visited with children after he helped the crowd count down to light the trees. The trees are put up each year by the New Milford United Methodist Church's Men's Club, and the tree lighting ceremony is organized by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce.

Deborah Rose/Santa greets his first family upon arriving in New Milford for the annual tree lighting on the Village Green.

Deborah Rose/Representatives from the New Milford United Methodist Church were on hand to raise awareness about the church's Men's Club, which annually puts up the 17 trees along the Green.

Deborah Rose/Margo Larsen and her brother, Gabe, not shown, of New Milford High School helped to kick off the tree lighting ceremony with a seasonal instrumental introduction.

Deborah Rose/Chris Prause, president of the New Milford United Methodist Church's Men's Club, thank the crowd for attending the evening's festivities.

Deborah Rose/Santa mums the word on what Hannah Wagner, 10, shared with him on her wish list.

Deborah Rose/Isabella Mancini, 8, of Arizona, is delighted to meet Santa after celebrating the lighting of the trees.

Deborah Rose/Brandon, Danielle, and Ava Jones, 6, of New Milford were excited to be part of the annual tradition on the Green.