Remembrance trees to brighten Town Hall in memory of those lost

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro Town Hall lawn will be aglow this holiday season with as many as 30 trees decorated in honor of lost loved ones.

The town is participating for the first time in the Remembrance Trees on the Lawn program. Town officials hope the program will become an annual holiday event, said Gina Colon, Middleboro’s economic development coordinator.

Thirty Fraser fir trees, each standing five to seven feet tall, will illuminate the lawn at the Town Hall. The trees will be from Williams Trading Post, a long-time Middleboro business. 

Community members can sponsor a tree in memory of a loved one. The trees, which are pre-lit, will be available for decorating on Friday, Nov. 29, on the Town Hall lawn.

The tree sponsors will select and place the decorations, which might include a theme that reflects the person who is being remembered, Colon said.

For those who have lost loved ones, especially recently, the holidays can be a difficult time, she said. The trees can bring comfort by keeping a loved one’s memory bright during the holiday season.

The trees should be in place and decorated by Nov. 30, the date of the annual Middleboro Christmas parade. Colon said she hopes people will enjoy the festive parade, then head to Town Hall to check out the trees. 

The lights will be on every night during December.

The project represents a true community effort. Concord Electric will supply the electrical materials, and T.W. Electric will donate its time for installation. Students from Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School will assist in the setup.

Remembrance trees cost $75 each. Community members interested in reserving a tree must pay in person, by check, at the Planning & Community Development Office, Town Hall Annex-2nd Floor, 20 Center St.

The town hopes the event will become self-sufficient and plans to use funds to purchase trees and supplies for the following year.