Bethel Chamber’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Events

Below is the schedule for the Bethel Chamber’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Day:

• 12-4 p.m.: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides starting at the Gift Cottage lawn, sponsored by Union Savings Bank.
• 12-4 p.m. – Billy’s BBQ on the lawn of Municipal Center.
• 12-4 p.m. - Patrick Wild will be available outside the Gift Cottage for a book signing of his latest book "" Books will be available to purchase at our table or they are available at The Gift Cottage, The Bethel Chamber, English Apothecary, Bethel Library or Town Clerks' Office. Any one who has previously purchased a book can stop by if they want to have it autographed.
• 12-5 p.m.: Meet Grover Dill (Yano Anaya)  and Flick (Scott Schwartz)  of “A Christmas Story” at Cupcakes and Milkshakes.
• 12-4:30 p.m.: Pictures with Santa at Aurora Photography (e-mail news@aurora-photography.net for complete details or visit www.aurora-photography.net).
• 12-5 p.m.: Kids Crafts at The Toy Room ($1 suggested donation).
• 2 p.m.: “Senior Melodiers out of Founders Hall” at Bethel United Methodist Church.
• 2-4 p.m.: Free soup donated by local businesses, served by Cub Scout Pack 54.
• 2-4:30 p.m.: Hot cocoa served by the Bethel United Methodist Church.
• 2-5 p.m.: Farmer’s Market at the Municipal Center.
• 3 p.m.: Bethel Chamber of Commerce Open House Celebration with cider and sonuts. sponsored by People’s Bank and Blue Jay Orchards.
• 3:30 p.m.: The Chamber Queen/King Cookie Contest begins at the Chamber Office (see rules below) and the Bethel Pro-Access Queen/King Pie Baking Contest begins at The Purple Zebra.
• 4:30 p.m.: Hear the High School Choir at P.T. Barnum Square.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

• 5 p.m.: First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker to kick–off Tree Lighting Ceremony.
• 5:10 p.m.: Crowning of the cookie and pie contest winners.
• 5:25 p.m.: Lighting of the tree while Joanie Howard sings “O Holy Night.”
• 5:30 p.m.: Santa arrives on a fire truck

Cookie Contest Rules

1. Contestants should bring one dozen individually wrapped cookies to the Bethel Chamber Office beginning at 3 p.m.  
2. It costs $5 to enter with all proceeds will benefit the Scotty Fund.  
3. All contestants must fill out a registration form when they enter the contest.
4. All cookies must be made from scratch.
5. Cookies will be judged independently by a panel of judges using the following criteria:

• Flavor (aroma, taste, balance of flavors) - 40 points
• Texture (not soggy or dry) - 30 points
• Inside characteristics (even grain, even bake) - 20 points
• Outside characteristics (consistent shape & size) - 10 points

The winner will be crowned during the Tree Lighting Ceremony and earn the bragging rights for having the best cookie in Bethel. The winning cookie will be featured in the Chamber Office during the holiday season.