The Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 26^th at 5:30 p.m. on the Village Green.  Highlights of the evening will include the lighting of the Christmas trees on the Green and visits with Santa.  The trees are put up by the United Methodist Men of the New Milford United Methodist Church, www.newmilfordumc.org.  This is the 56th year of trees on the Green.  We hope you will join us for this community tradition.

The tradition of the trees on the Green was started by Walter Schutte in 1967 and the practice continues in his memory. The lights on the trees come alive with color on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Over the years, many people make a special detour on their way home from work or shopping to drive by the Green in the evenings to view the lights on the New Milford Green; while others make it a special place to visit with their young children and friends from out of town when the snow is softly falling and the trees are all aglow with many sparkling colors.

Members of the New Milford United Methodist Men’s Club and other church members donate their time and effort to cut the trees down, place them on the Green, string the wires and the lights, and take them down shortly after New Year’s.  Contributions for lights and other essentials help to keep this tradition alive.  Donations may be made to the New Milford United Methodist Men Club, 68 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776.

In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need – getting more customers.  The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before.  This year, the big day is Nov. 26^th.  We encourage you to Shop Local and support all of the businesses in the Greater New Milford area.

We invite and encourage you to visit our downtown merchants prior to the ceremony on the Green.  Come and enjoy the wonder of downtown New Milford.