Mayor-elect Robinson-Briggs joins youngsters in Holiday Tree lighting, Santa's visit

About two hundred Plainfield children and their families joined with City officials and Mayor-elect Sharon Robinson-Briggs on an icy Friday evening to celebrate the annual lighting of the Holiday Tree and a visit from Santa. Mayor-elect Robinson-Briggs joined with City Administrator Norton Bonaparte and 3rd Ward Councilman Don Davis in lighting the tree, a newly planted replacement of the former tree and dedicated to the memory of Webster Sandford, late husband of Barbara Sandford, longtime beautification activist. The Mayor-elect delighted the crowd by reading a Christmas card for all Plainfielders. After greeting all with "Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Chanukah, and Celebrate Kwanzaa," she invited participants to join in a rousing cheer of "Unity in the Community." With the arrival of Santa on a City fire truck --to the delight of the youngsters-- the outdoor proceedings drew to a close and the youngsters and their families moved indoors for a visit with Santa complete with a takealong Polaroid, a bag of small gifts, and cookies and beverages doled out by Santa's helpers.

Plainfield High School ROTC Color Guard leads attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance

Bishop Herbert Bright is introduced by emcee Michelle Bryant to offer the invocation

Students from Plainfield's newest charter school perform musical selections. The school, Union County TEAMS, is housed in the new Shiloh Baptist Church facility on West Fourth Street

Mayor-elect Sharon Robinson-Briggs applauds performers at the Treelighting ceremony

Students from the Plainfield Performing Arts Center in a liturgical dance presentation

Mayor-elect Sharon Robinson-Briggs joins with City Administrator Norton Bonaparte, Third Ward Councilman Don Davis and wellwishers in lighting the Holiday Tree

The new Holiday Tree in all its splendor

Mayor-elect Robinson-Briggs reads a holiday card to the crowd

Santa and Mrs. Santa delight a young visitor

All photography by Dan Damon, Public Information Officer, City of Plainfield Keywords: Plainfield, Tree lighting, holidays, Santa