Light Up Night 2016 Draws Festive Crowd; Countdown Captured on Video
By Julie Perine on December 02, 2016
Hundreds – perhaps even thousands – gathered on Bridgeport’s Main Street Thursday night for the city’s annual Light Up Night festivities.
Dozens of member businesses of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport set up tents – all aglow –offering goodies to visitors. Hot chocolate and apple cider, sandwiches, hotdogs, homemade donuts, cheese, novelties and many other items were gifted to those who stopped in to visit. As residents meandered the streets, they exchanged holiday greetings.
The Bridgeport High School Jazz Band performed several festive numbers, after which Brad Ford of the ABB presented the traveling scarecrow plaque to the winner of this year’s Main Street Scarecrow Contest. Accepting the award on behalf of The Starving Artist was 
Jenny Starkey Reed.
Jenny Starkey Reed.
Fifth graders of Heritage Christian School, Simpson Elementary and Johnson Elementary combined their voices to entertain the crowd with holiday tunes. From the balcony of the Benedum Civic Center, Ford and Mayor Bob Greer delivered some welcoming and congratulatory remarks before focus switched to the main event: The flipping of the switch, illuminating the Christmas tree on the Civic Center lawn. Carole Crawford – who this year was one of 58 principals across the nation to be honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals - did the honors.
But the lights didn’t go on until the traditional countdown. Also a tradition, fireworks lit up the sky.
The event also featured entertainment by Brandon LeRoy and Ben DeFazio, as well as the BHS Danceline. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand for festivities and visited with children afterwards.
Photos by Julie Perine. See photos by Ben Queen Photography HERE.
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