LUCEA, Hanover — The Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) has confirmed that it will proceed with its annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and treat this year, though the event will be a “scaled-down version” of the traditional festivities. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to finalise details of the event.

“We are still sort of in preliminary mode, however we are putting some plans in place for a scaled-down version on December 23,” HMC Chief Executive Officer David Gardner told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.

The usually eagerly anticipated tree-lighting ceremony typically features elaborate decorations and entertainment. This year will be different, though, as the country recovers and rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa, which slammed into the south-western end of Jamaica on October 28, 2025.

Gardner noted that the corporation intends to maintain the core elements of the tradition, specifically the treat for children and the formal civic ceremony. However, he revealed that there will be changes to the entertainment package and aesthetics.

“We may not have possibly as much music as before, and probably the level of decoration might be a little less, but we are hoping to have as much as possible and as near as possible to what we aim for,” explained Gardner.

He said the corporation is currently seeking support to bolster the offerings, noting that the final scope of the event could expand if private sector partners help defray some of the cost.

“If we are able to get them on board then we might be able to do a little more than initially projected,” he said.

During last Thursday’s meeting, Mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels stressed that the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa had placed a tremendous financial burden on the corporation.

“We are not far removed from the effects of what has happened in Westmoreland; Hanover is not far away from that. We have felt the impact that has caused severe damage to our parish and the challenge in terms of getting funding and the resources that we need for Christmas at this time,” stated Samuels.

The mayor pointed out that he has had dialogue with his counterpart in Savanna-la-Mar, Danree Delancy, and that the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation had opted out of hosting tree-lighting events this year and will instead focus on relief efforts.

At the central government level, celebrations have been scaled down and limited to in-house, with funds also to be channelled towards getting the country back on track. At the same time, the Government is urging the private sector to go ahead with the usual holiday festivities as a way to contribute to the economic activity needed at this time.