Hundreds of people filled Mill Street and the steps of Occoquan Town Hall on Saturday night as the town flipped the switch on its Christmas tree, officially opening the holiday season in the small riverfront community.
The tree lighting began just after 6 p.m. in front of Town Hall, where gas lamps, wreaths, and shop lights gave the historic district a postcard feel. Broadcasting live from the event, Potomac Local News described Occoquan as a “nice little postcard, Hallmark movie town” that feels far removed from nearby Washington, D.C., despite sitting just off Interstate 95.
Town Manager Adam Linn stopped by the livestream as the crowd thickened along Mill Street. Asked about the town’s holiday image, he embraced the comparison. “It’s a Hallmark town,” Linn said. “That’s exactly how we like to consider ourselves.”
Before the tree came on, musicians performed in front of Town Hall, including a string group and local violinist Shana Burt, who led the crowd in singing along to Christmas favorites. At one point, Burt joked with the audience that they would have to “earn” the tree lighting with their singing, telling families they needed to join in if they wanted to see the lights come on.
As the minutes passed and the street filled, the event took on the feel of a festival. Parents held children on their shoulders, people with cups of cocoa in hand pressed in closer to Town Hall, and visitors snapped photos under the gas lamps lining Mill Street. The stream’s host estimated that “at least a thousand people” crowded into downtown to see the tree illuminated.
Mayor Ernie Porta joined the program later in the evening, greeting the crowd and recognizing members of the Town Council and Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye. Porta then turned the focus back to the families and visitors packed into the small town square. “The most important people tonight are all of you,” he said. “I do hope you enjoy yourself after the tree lighting, walking around, visiting our shops and restaurants.”
Porta also offered one of the night’s most memorable lines, encouraging people to stick around downtown once the tree came on. “What I’d like to encourage you to do is, after the tree lighting, please spend irresponsibly,” he told the crowd, drawing laughs.
Two young helpers, William and Theodore, joined Porta on the steps of Town Hall for the countdown. After checking how many people were there for the first time — and how many were regulars — the mayor led a loud five-second countdown. On “one,” the tree flickered to life to cheers and applause, with the branches and surrounding space quickly filling with people grabbing photos and selfies.
As the lights came on, the livestream pulled back to show the glow of the tree, the packed street, and the lines in front of nearby shops and restaurants. The host reminded viewers that the small businesses lining Mill Street are central to the town’s identity and economy. They “not only sell unique items that bring people from all around the region to shop here, but they employ their neighbors,” he said, calling them “the job creators” and “the sponsors of the Little League teams.”
Saturday’s ceremony marks the start of a busy holiday calendar in Occoquan. In the coming weeks, the town plans to host its Holiday Artisan Market, featuring street closures for vendors, Santa’s arrival by boat on the Occoquan River, a gingerbread contest, and other family activities designed to bring visitors back to the historic district throughout the season.
