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Ash and live embers rained down on Zayne Hilderbrand as he stood in the Devereux Beach parking lot Tuesday night, camera in hand, capturing Marblehead’s annual Epiphany fire raging across the street on Riverhead Beach.
The Swampscott resident stumbled upon the spectacle by chance while out shooting photos for a photography class around 6:10 p.m.
“We didn’t even know this was happening,” Hilderbrand said. “We were out taking photos for a photography class — this really worked out.”
The Fire Department’s annual Christmas tree bonfire kicked off at 6 p.m. Jan. 6, drawing several hundred residents who gathered to watch the towering pile of pine trees go up in flames.
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland mingled with the crowd, chatting with children and posing for the occasional selfie as the scent of burning pine filled the air.
“It was a perfect night for the tree burning,” Gilliland said. “No wind and comfortable temperatures. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
While he noted fewer trees than in past years, the fire chief said the turnout remained strong. He suspects cabin fever drove many into the chilly night for an event that brings the community together.
The tree pile continued to grow throughout the evening as residents arrived dragging their holiday trees behind them. Each time firefighters tossed another tree into the inferno, sending flames skyward, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Sue O’Callaghan watched her daughter spin in the glow of the fire as heat washed over spectators.
“We were lucky enough to buy a house in Marblehead in August so this is our first season,” O’Callaghan said. “This is awesome. We were going to just come get a glimpse of it but we’re staying for the heat — this is so cool.”
Zach Ehlert has attended the bonfire for several years but arrived early enough this time to watch firefighters ignite the towering pile with flares. The dry trees became engulfed in moments.“It was definitely worth it,” he said.
His friend Keith Rau of Lynn had never heard of the Epiphany fire before Tuesday.
“This is cool,” he said.
Wesley Orozco echoed that sentiment. He watched from the Devereux parking lot alongside Hilderbrand and another friend, Anna Morelli, all of Swampscott. The trio had driven to Marblehead to surprise a friend but ended up surprised themselves.
“We got here and we saw police and we thought, ‘Oh, something’s happening,’” Morelli said. “Then we saw people dragging trees and we see the Fire Department and then we see the fire.”
While she admitted feeling a bit sad watching the trees go up in flames, Morelli called it a great end to the holiday season.
If you’ve been reading along as Marblehead traditions unfold — from Town Meeting to nights like this on Riverhead Beach — that continuity exists because neighbors help fund it. About 80 Marblehead residents already chip in to keep this coverage free, covering meetings, events and long winter nights like the Epiphany fire. If you’ve been meaning to support local reporting that shows up and stays, joining today helps us plan coverage for the months ahead.
