According to Yahoo Answers, a Greek professor, composer and mathematician named Demetrios Lekkas said that in order for something to be considered a tradition it has to last for at least three generations. And since I found that answer on what makes a tradition on the internet, it has to be true.

 

My apologies to Lekkas if he didn’t actually say it and also my apologies to Lekkas if he did make that claim as to the time needed before something can become a tradition. You see, he’s got it wrong. In fact, with the right type of event, you don’t even need a decade.

 

A case in point is the upcoming 10^th Anniversary of Bridgeport’s Light Up Night on Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will once again feature entertainment, food and – yes for those that have inquired – an event-closing fireworks display. All of it, of course, is free of charge.

 

You see, Light Up Night has become a tradition — a tradition that came from a brainstorming session at an open forum in 2004 comprising early members of what is now the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport

 

The group was searching for a signature event for the ABB. They found it. They also found something that can arguably be stated that it is the premier event in Bridgeport.

 

That’s certainly no slight on other great events like the Benedum Festival, the Scottish Festival, football under the Friday night lights and others. Rather, it’s a tribute to just how special the event has become. I’ve been to nearly every event in the city over the course of the last two decades and leave most of them with a smile on my face, but I never leave an event feeling as good about what I’ve just witnessed than when leaving Light Up Night - the lone exception being any Challenger League baseball game.

 

Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer mentioned at Monday’s Council meeting that he recalled that during perhaps the first Light Up Night once the event began that, as if on cue, it began to snow. He suggested it was a bit of magic ordered up by the city. To be honest, it’s been magical ever since.

 

It is the epitome of a good-will event and there are often several thousand individuals lined up along the closed section of Main Street from Virginia Avenue to Third Street to take it all in. And there’s going to be plenty to take in once again this year.

 

Throwing the switch to light up the city Christmas tree this year will be ABB President Mark Bonamico and recently a resident-once-again Curtis Fleming, the host of the show “Fly Rod Chronicles.” There’s also plenty of entertainment as a combined choir performance of students from Heritage Christian School, Johnson Elementary and Simpson Elementary will all take part during the actual lighting.

 

Prior to the 7 p.m. lighting of the tree, the Bridgeport High School Jazz Band will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. After the tree lighting takes place, there will be performances by Ben DeFazio, Brandon Leroy and Marissa Bailey. Also this year, the Bridgeport Middle School Steel Drum Band “Pandemonium” will perform.

 

Along with the entertainment, dozens of groups will have tents up, providing food and drink as well as gifts and goodies all along the Main Street corridor. Of course, there will be an appearance by Santa Claus too.

 

And just in case you missed it above, the event literally will end with a bang. The annual evening fireworks display will take place directly over Main Street and the Benedum Civic Center.

 

You add it all up and you have one special evening not only for the City of Bridgeport, but for anyone who wants to take part. It’s a special evening. So special, in fact, it’s already a tradition.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.