AGLOW — A crowd surrounded the recently lit Christmas tree at Aracoma Park during Mingo Junction’s Light Up Night, Monday. -- Christopher Dacanay

MINGO JUNCTION — Village residents enjoyed a double dose of holiday lights on Monday, when downtown Christmas decoration lighting coincided with Mingo Junction’s Light Up Night at Aracoma Park.

Relocated to better accommodate large numbers of people, the village’s light-up night took place at Aracoma Park for the first time. Still, a crowd of community members turned up for the event, some aided by complimentary shuttle services from the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority.

Attendees counted down until a young evergreen’s lights and surrounding character decorations suddenly lit up. The tree lighting occurred simultaneously with the lighting of the city building’s nearby Christmas tree — donated years ago by Softite Community Federal Credit Union — and 20 new, pole-mounted snowflake lighting fixtures downtown.

Before that, local musician Bobby Pizzoferrato led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. He was followed by the Rev. Vaughn Foster Sr., pastor of First United Presbyterian Church, who offered a prayer that began with giving thanks for “standing in the presence of the one who is the light of the world” amid “an hour that is filled with so much darkness.”

“Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of community,” Foster said. “We thank you, Lord, for allowing us to gather together to celebrate Christmas and the Christ of Christmas. … We ask, God, that you would allow this place — this gathering — to be filled with hope, to be filled with peace and joy and love and that we would take it and spread it wherever we go during this season and every season to come.”

DECKED OUT — The Indian Creek High School Band performed in stocking caps and with light-trimmed instruments during Mingo Junction’s Light Up Night, Monday. -- Christopher Dacanay

The Hills Elementary School Choir took the stage next. After singing “Happy Birthday” for Mayor Judy Ruckman, the choir gave hand motions and performed classic Christmas songs: “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Up on the House Top.” The choir sang an a cappella “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to close.

Decked in stocking caps and using light-trimmed instruments or batons, the Indian Creek High School Band and majorettes performed “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Joy to the World,” “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Former Mayor John Corrigan then offered some words to the crowd. He stated he was “very humbled” by the chance to participate in the ceremony.

“Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Corrigan said. “And no matter where you are, I want you to know that we all love you and that God loves us all.”

Ruckman addressed comments about Aracoma Park’s Christmas tree that characterized it as “small.”

CAROLERS — The Hills Elementary School Choir sang four classic Christmas songs during Mingo Junction’s Light Up Night, Monday. -- Christopher Dacanay

“Somebody was kind of joking about the tree being small, but how I see it: The tree may be small, but it’s going to grow mighty like our community. I’m grateful for community. I’m humbled and I’m thankful for all. Thank you to my village council, my administrator and all the employees and all the people who made this happen.”

Councilwoman Jodilynn Fitzgerald said later that the downtown tree once started small like the Aracoma Park tree but has grown significantly as the years have passed.

“(The park’s tree) has got to be fed, it’s got to be trimmed, but it will be beautiful, too,” she said.

Schuetz Funeral Home provided free hot chocolate and funnel cakes for attendees, and children received free bags of candy.

Also recognized for their contributions to evening were JSW Steel USA Ohio, FeX Group, Iannetti’s Garden Center, Cops and Cruisers for Christmas, the Mingo Junction Knights of Columbus, SVRTA, Softite Community Federal Credit Union and all village employees.