NORWICH – The Norwich BID will present its annual downtown tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in West Park. For the 14th straight year, the event will feature a holiday choral performance by Perry Browne students, led by Music Instructor and Director of Choruses David Kirsch. This year’s performance will feature a record 236 elementary school students, representing more than half the student body at Perry Browne. Rhett Genung and Rockstar DJ will provide technical assistance for the program and Santa Claus, Kirsch, Mayor Joe Maiurano and several lucky students will be on hand to flick the switch and light-up downtown Norwich.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy the efforts of Shawn Sastri and his team of volunteers, who’ve spent the last several weeks decorating the downtown business district for the holiday season. Following the ceremony, Santa will be available to meet with children in his igloo, located in East Park.