Mountainside's Christmas Tree Gets A Makeover, Girl Scouts Light Up Community With Harmony

The annual Christmas Tree lighting is a Borough-wide event symbolizing that the holidays have officially arrived in Mountainside. This year’s tree boasts 1,200 new multi-colored energy efficient LED lights, and is topped with a white star.

Before lighting the iconic tree at the Dec. 1 ceremony, Mayor Paul Mirabelli reported that the Lions Club applied for, and received, a grant from the Watts Foundation, which paid for the upgraded lights, as well as for the installation.  

On behalf of the community, Mr. Mirabelli expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Lions Club for their past decades of service.  He noted that the older light bulbs, which were previously hung and maintained by the Lions Club members, were getting harder to replace. 

He also thanked the Watts Foundation for the grant, and to the Girl Scouts, who sang a few rounds of holiday tunes.

Mr. Mirabelli told Patch, “The community came out to hear the Girl Scouts sing.  Their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents created this family event.”  He continued, “They weren’t here to listen to me speak, they were there to hear the Girl Scouts sing.” 

Traditional festivities also included the Recreation Department’s annual skate swap; the Mountainside Preservation Committee’s yearly hot chocolate and cookie sale, and free ice skating for Borough residents at Union Sports arena. 

On deck: Mountainside’s Menorah will be lit on Dec. 8, the first night of Hanukkah.