"Fireman Phil" Dye Selected to Do Honors of Lighting City Christmas Tree
By Julie Perine on November 23, 2021
After collecting nominations from residents, the selection committee of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport casted votes for this year's Light Up Night honoree. It was Phil Dye - also known around town as "Fireman Phil" who was chosen to light the tree.
"It was decided early on in the planning process for this year's Light Up Night that the public should play a part in selecting this year's tree lighter," said ABB President Doug Marquette. "We were looking for someone who positively impacts our community and the people who live here."
Dye was a volunteer Bridgeport firefighter from 1989 until 1996, when he became a paid member of the staff. He retired in 2014 and in 2016 was named one of two residents receiving the Benedum Fellow Award. Named after Bridgeport benefactor, Michael Benedum, the honor was bestowed upon those who have tremendous impact on our community. During his years with Bridgeport Fire Department, Dye touched many lives, including those of young school students who visited the fire station with class tours. To the kids and eventually the community, he became known as Phil Dye the Fire Guy. He taught students the workings of the department and how to stay safe. After retiring, he remained active with Bridgeport schools, serving as volunteer crossguard for Simpson Elementary.
Light Up Night 2021 promises to be one of the biggest in the 17-year history of the event. With more than a dozen business sponsors this year, there are about 40 business and non-profit vendors on board to date,
Main Street will close to traffic at 5:30 p.m. that evening and the event will take place 6-8 p.m. Starting at 6 p.m., the Bridgeport High School Jazz Band will play just across the street from Benedum Civic Center. Tents will open, offering free seasonal treats and novelties. At 6:50 p.m., the Bridgeport High School Dance Line will perform in front of the Civic Center, followed by the combined choirs of Heritage Christian, Simpson Elementary and Johnson Elementary schools. At 7 p.m., a program will take place from the Civic Center balcony, featuring words from Marquette, recognition of this year's Scarecrow Contest winners and the main activity - the lighting of the city Christmas tree. Accompanying Nelson and ABB.jpg)
representatives on the balcony will be Santa and Mrs. Claus.
representatives on the balcony will be Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Fireworks, street entertainers and continued visiting at tents will follow through 8 p.m.
Taking place in coordination with Light Up Night is the second annual Light Up Our City. Residents are asked to light up their homes on Dec. 2. Those participating can contact julie@connect-bridgeport to get on the map which will be distributed Light Up Night at the Greater Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau tent. The map will also be available on Google Maps. A link will be provided. Light Up Our City also will feature the solving of this year's Christmas message. Card My Yard, which partners with the CVB to host Light Up Our City, will place various random letters througout the routes. Among those correcting assembly the letters to solve the message, one will be chosen at random to will win a free Card My Yard service.
Stay tuned to Connect-Bridgeport for updates and reminders for Light Up Night 2021.
