Hopwood set for light-up night
Hopwood will welcome in the 2002 holiday season with a light-up night, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7. “It’s a wonderful activity,’ said Adrian Chesler of the Hopwood Village Project, which is sponsoring the event for the third year. “You see your friends and neighbors, and everybody’s having a good time.’
Festivities get underway at 2:45 p.m. with a gathering and entertainment at the Hopwood Center, located along Route 40, near Four-Star Pizza. It’s on the North Union Township side of Route 40, across from Herring’s restaurant.
Chesler announced that entertainment will include a combined choir from the Brownfield and Hopwood United Methodist Churches, flutaphones concert by students from Hutchinson Elementary School and caroling with Ed and Lisa Cupp.
Santa Claus will arrive at 3:30 p.m. and will pass out snacks that are being prepared by volunteers from the Laurel Highlands High School who are residents of Hopwood. They are preparing the snacks at the General George Marshall Amvets Post 103 in Hopwood.
The lighting of the community Christmas tree and the streetlights will take place at 5 p.m. The tree is being donated by Heinbaugh’s Country Gifts and will be placed in a lot owned by Dr. Robert Bigham that is located between Bigham’s office and the Hopwood Center.
Chesler said student volunteers from Laurel Highlands High School are erecting the tree on Saturday. This is the same day that community volunteers will place holiday streetlights. But both will remain dark until the light-up ceremony.
Fellowship and singing will continue until 6 p.m. The Hopwood Village Project has passed out flyers asking local businesses to stay open for the festivities.
Highly successful, light-up night in Hopwood attracted approximately 500 people last year. The event attracts people who live in Hopwood and those outside the village.
“The more the merrier,’ said Chesler. “We like to show off our little town.’
The Hopwood Village Project, chaired by Al Botti, is a group of community residents who are hoping to give the town the look of a 19th century community, explained Chesler.
“Hopwood in the 19th century was a stopping ground for wagon trains heading West and those heading back East to sell goods,’ he said.
Located along the National Road, Hopwood was a resting spot for travelers who had come down Summit Mountain as well as those who were on their way up.
“It was a hub of activity and we’re trying to gain some historic recognition for our village,’ Chesler commented.
In the next few months, the Hopwood Village Project will erect 37 period street lamps.
In addition, the project is striving to keep the community close together.
Said Chesler, “I think it’s working.”