By Mandy McFarland Staff Writer
BREMEN — This year, as is tradition, Bremen residents gathered downtown the evening before Thanksgiving to watch the Christmas lights flicker to life. More than that, however, this year’s celebration was a chance for Bremen to see a little light during an economically dark time.
While attendance might have been a little down, a crowd still turned out to welcome Santa Claus to town and to cheer as 9-year-old Caden Anderson threw the switch to officially light up the downtown streetscape. The Horizon praise band set the mood with a variety of Christmas favorites and guests warmed up inside the foyer at Town Hall with hot chocolate and cookies. Bremen’s own Dean Huppert was emcee for the evening.

This year’s ceremony featured a candle lighting ceremony in honor of American service men and women, many of whom are overseas and do not get to be home for the holidays this year.
Bremen Chamber President Bill Davis was satisfied with the turnout, though he would have liked to see more people getting into the holiday mood.
“I just wish more people would come out,” he said. “I think if they’d come out and experience it ... it’s something that brings our community together.”
Still, he said, he understands that this year many families, especially those without work, may be having difficulty feeling any kind of holiday cheer, but hopes that events like the town lighting may serve to bring a little brightness into a few lives.
“You get a tough economy and so many people unemployed,” he said, “A lot of people don’t think they’ve got anything to give thanks for, and when the community comes out and rallies around for something like this, it gives some hope.”
Santa will be in his trailer in Bremen Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Plymouth and Center streets. Kids can meet him there to present their Christmas wishes.
This year, Santa’s house is accented by a brightly-lit fence, donated by one of Bremen’s own businesses.