Many hands made Friday night’s Bonfire at the Community Farm a reality. The pandemic played a part in the festivities, canceling the band, and Paul Saulnier this year’s Citizen of the Year who was scheduled to light the huge inferno. Main ticket taker Theresa Lampkin tested positive the day before, so Erin Anderson filled the spot of checking electronic tickets. Jeffrey Avenue and Whitney Street were aglow with a portable light tower supplied by the DPW while the Auxiliary Police handled traffic.

The weatherman afforded a balmy night between rainstorms and the greenhouse was heated by a huge (this thing is massive) heater supplied by Mark Dellicker. The entire farm was lit up in Christmas lights arranged by Kris Serocki. While Dennis Serocki and Dennis Prefontaine lit the smaller fire pits surrounding the huge bonfire, Jason Hall, Kevin Mueller and Dick Morse dished out chili made at the Superette along with hot cider.

It was an older crowd who attended and languished around the huge blaze of burning pallets. Many were looking for a quiet event, their folding chairs tucked under arms that would return from the field for more chili. The leisurely event had a hometown feel with Donna Wazniak a Franklin resident attending. Donna had worked at the Holliston Post Office in the early 1980’s.

There was time to catch up on town doings including the sewage project at town hall, the building of the veteran’s monument at Blair Square, and who will be running for town offices in the spring.

Car 3, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Dellicker, was on hand with his crew of brush fire truck assistants to douse the embers of the blaze well past 10 pm. With comments and ideas for next year abounding it would seem a new Holliston tradition has been born. Chairperson Kris Westland thanks all the volunteers who made the event possible.