Saturday was First Light in Old Greenwich, an annual holiday event that brings people together from all parts of town. Sound Beach Ave was closed to traffic for the celebration, and families enjoyed rides in antique fire trucks, live music, and a visit from Santa.
Participating businesses offered refreshments, and of course, the trees twinkled with abundant white lights for a magical effect thanks to the generosity of the community, building owners and merchants.
The Sound Beach Community Band was set up outside the fire house, where at 5:00 young Willa Koch was declared by First Selectman Fred Camillo to be “Queen of First Light.”
Camillo read a proclamation, that said in part, “One of Old Greenwich’s best-known local businesses is Garden Catering, which has been serving satisfied customers in Town for decades. But now the owners of this beloved business need our support and we dedicate First Light 2024 to Willa Koch, the daughter of Garden Catering co-owner Tina Carpenteri, while she bravely fights pediatric leukemia.”
Willa waved a wand that lit up a tree in front of the fire house, and then kicked off the event by climbing onto the antique fire truck for the first ride of the chilly evening.
The event – the 25th annual First Light – was organized by the Old Greenwich Merchants Association who also coordinated the fundraising for the effort to light all the trees.
Rich Fulton from Chillybear and Marcos Torno, owner of the custom framers Images of Old Greenwich, spearheaded fundraising for the lights, got the road closure approved, secured the police and fire dept presence, and publicized the free family event.
The event may be over, but the holiday lights will twinkle and shine until February.
Firefighters arrived early to be ready to offer rides in antique fire trucks at First Light in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Firemen arrived early to Sound Beach Ave for the 25th First Light event in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
An antique fire truck makes its way down Sound Beach Ave during the 25th First Light event in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Businesses along Sound Beach Ave in the village of Old Greenwich threw open their doors, with many offering refreshments. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Warming up the seat for Santa at First Light in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Families lined up for rides in an antique fire truck at First Light in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
The Sound Beach Community Band, established back in 1955, played outside the fire house in Old Greenwich during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Marcos Torno and Rich Fulton from the Old Greenwich Merchants Association with Icy Frantz and First Selectman Fred Camillo outside the Sound Beach Fire Station during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
First Light in Old Greenwich on Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Families lined up for rides in an antique fire truck at First Light in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
The Sound Beach Community Band, established back in 1055, played outside the fire house in Old Greenwich during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
First Selectman Fred Camillo read a proclamation during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Icy Frantz presented Willa with a wand to use to light up a tree outside the fire house. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Icy Frantz presented Willa with a wand to use to light up a tree outside the fire house. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Icy Frantz presented Willa with a wand to use to light up a tree outside the fire house. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rich Fulton with Willa Koch outside the Sound Beach Fire Dept during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rich Fulton with Willa Koch outside the Sound Beach Fire Dept during First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
After lighting a tree Willa pivoted toward the antique fire trucks on Sound Beach Ave at First Light. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
An antique fire truck makes its way down Sound Beach Ave during the 25th First Light event in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
An antique fire truck makes its way down Sound Beach Ave during the 25th First Light event in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
An antique fire truck makes its way down Sound Beach Ave during the 25th First Light event in Old Greenwich. Dec 7, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager