Friends of Christopher Columbus Park
Light Trellis Display with State-of-the-Art LED Lights
Festive start to the holiday season on Monday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m.
Boston, MA – The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) will celebrate a Boston holiday tradition with the thirteenth annual lighting of the park’s signature trellises on Monday, November 23, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Local businesses and neighbors support the efforts of FOCCP, the all-volunteer neighborhood organization, to raise the funds needed to illuminate the trellis and 14 trees annually. Mayor Martin J. Walsh will preside over the trellis lighting ceremony, along with Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook.
“This year’s lighting ceremony is especially exciting because, for the first time, state-of-the-art, dimmable LED lights have been installed on the trellis,” says FOCCP President Joanne Hayes-Rines. “These energy-saving lights have a much longer life than standard lights so while the initial investment is high, the savings over the next few years will be significant. Every year it is thrilling to watch the park transform into a winter wonderland when the trellis is illuminated, and we’re delighted that Mayor Walsh will throw the switch again this year.”
Santa Claus, Frosty and Rudolph the Reindeer will welcome attendees. Students and teachers of the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) will sing holiday songs. The Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, Joe’s American Bar & Grill, One Medical Group, Starbucks and Magic 106.7 will provide refreshments and holiday treats.
The Platinum Level corporate sponsors for this year’s trellis and tree lighting are NorthEndBoston.com and Sanibel Electrical Corporation. Sanibel Electrical has generously donated the cost of installation of the trellis lights. Gold Level sponsors are Boston Harbor Cruises, Boston PushCart, CL Waterfront Properties, Joe’s American Bar & Grill, Marriott Long Wharf Boston, One Medical Group and Tia’s Restaurant. “With an ambitious docket of projects before us, we are more dependent than ever on the generosity of our members, both private and corporate, in Boston and outside the city, who help us fund these efforts,” says Hayes-Rines. “We have been one of the most successful Friends groups to support a city park, and we truly appreciate everyone’s help and continued donations.”
The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization comprised of North End and Waterfront neighbors whose purpose is to further the restoration, protection, preservation, care, enhancement, improvement, and maintenance of the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. The FOCCP works closely with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department to keep the park clean and well maintained, and with other city and state organizations to improve the park to enrich the lives of both residents and visitors to Boston.
###
The current officers FOCCP are Joanne Hayes-Rines (President), Ann Babbitt (Vice President), Audrey Tortolani (Treasurer) and Patricia Thiboutot (Clerk). Board members are Joe Bono, Ford Cavalleri, Beverly Knight, Susanne Lavoie, Robyn Reed, Patricia Sabbey and Christina Sperry.
