Roxbury hosts 18th tree-lighting ceremony
Dec. 4—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Every year, Marilyn and Ron Zimmerman gather with their family ahead of the annual tree-lighting ceremony held by the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance to celebrate before heading to the event, and Sunday was no different.
The family attended the organization's 18th tree-lighting ceremony decked out with lighted headbands and glasses.
"We just have a tradition," said Jill Brazill, the Zimmermans' niece. "We come here every year. My aunt has a party before the tree-lighting, so we go to her house and have some food and drinks and then we come over."
Marilyn Zimmerman said she comes out each year for the tree, and because she "loves Bo Moore."
"We like singing along with the carols when they play songs that we know, Brazill added.
The family said that they have held the tradition almost as long as the tree-lighting has been happening.
According to Mary Borkow, president of the alliance, this year's tree was donated by Joe Kanuch, of Johnstown, in memory of Pat Stewart.
Borkow described the tree as the organization's way of giving back to the community.
She noted that hundreds of people will drive past and enjoy the tree, which will be lit every evening until midnight during the holiday season through mid- January.
"It's just peace and comfort and health and wealth for our community," she said.
