Base, Local Residents Invited to Attend Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

By Mark Wyatt, 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

Hanscom Air Force Base officials will host the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 outside the base chapel.

The tree lighting will follow a parade through base housing, beginning at 3:15 p.m. and ending at the chapel. 

Col. Taona Enriquez and Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary, installation commander and command chief, will be joined by Santa Claus to officially light the Hanscom AFB tree. 

This year’s tree lighting event welcomes members of the Hanscom AFB community and residents of nearby towns.

“For off-base attendees, there will be reserved parking inside the Sartain Gate off Route 2A, just a short distance from the tree lighting site at the chapel,” said Maj. Brandon Casso, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander. “Security Forces personnel will be on-site to provide parking instructions and guide visitors to the tree lighting location.”

Access for off-base residents will be limited to only the Sartain Gate (located off Vandenburg Drive) and the tree lighting site at the chapel. Visitors to the base must present a valid driver’s license or state ID upon arriving at the gate.

Installation officials request all base personnel attending the event carry their base credentials. Officials will require 100 percent ID check to ensure a smooth and secure return to regular operations.

“Without the credential and given that non-base affiliated personnel will be in the same location as credential holders, we will be unable to verify if someone has base access when they leave the event,” said Casso.

Traffic patterns will be affected at the start of the event. Officials urge housing residents to use alternate routes to access base housing.

Base personnel are encouraged to enter or exit the installation using the Ruiz Gate from 3:30 p.m. until the conclusion of the tree lighting ceremony.

According to Casso, prohibited items include weapons of any kind, illegal drugs (including marijuana), large backpacks, coolers, chairs, drone aircraft, or any type of propelled item capable of being airborne.

For further information about attending this event, email [email protected].