The Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) invites Glen Cove residents to attend the annual Winter Festival and Tree Lighting in Village Square Saturday, starting at 1:30 p.m.

With the assistance of Damion Stavredes and the Glen Cove Beautification Commission, the BID has decorated the downtown area in preparation of the event and the upcoming holidays, according to a news release.

At the intersection of Glen and Bridge Streets, there will be horse and carriage rides, entertainment, refreshments and the tree lighting. Following the festival, hot chocolate will be served, courtesy of Henry's Confectionary.

The event also features an invocation and community candle lighting, with Mayor Ralph Suozzi presiding.

Festival attendees are encouraged to bring their leftover Halloween candy, which will be sent to U.S. military members who are deployed overseas as part of "Operation Gratitude Halloween Candy Give Back."

Drivers can expect road closures at School, Bridge, Pulaski and Glen Streets.

The following is an itinerary of Saturday's festivities:

• 1:30-3:45 p.m.: Horse and carriage rides; Santa arrives downtown via horse and carriage; the Matt Grabowski Holiday Group will provide holiday jazz at intervals during the day.
• 2:00-4:15 p.m.: Pictures with Santa, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
• 3:45 p.m.: Last carriage ride loads.
• 4:30 p.m.: Invocation led by Rev. Elisabeth Simpson, First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove; community candle lighting ceremony, Hon. Mayor Ralph Suozzi presiding.
• 5:00 p.m.: Santa arrives by fire truck; tree lighting.

The BID extends its gratitude to the Glen Cove Department of Public Works, National Grid, Joseph M. Basile Electric Service, Glen Cove High School DECA club, Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department and the Glen Cove Auxiliary Police for contributing to festival preparations.

For more information call the Glen Cove Downtown BID at 759-6970, or visit their Web site.