Community Corner
It's Christmas Time in the City
Community members attended the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Saturday in the Village Square.
The holiday season formally commenced in Glen Cove on Saturday night, during the 2010 Holiday Spirit Festival.
While horse and carriage rides loaded up with residents from Village Square, "Sparky and the Santas," a holiday group comprised of all students played Christmas and Hanukkah carols.
Band founder Matt Grabowski said that group got its name from the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
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"It was a great experience and a lot of fun to perform in front of the city," Grabowski said.
The student coordinated band was not the only source of music at the event: Cadette Girl Scout Troop #1243 entertained the crowd with Christmas carols, Glen Cove High School sophomore Sabrina Ali kicked off the festivities with the national anthem, and City Council members performed carols before Mayor Suozzi led the countdown to the tree lighting.
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"This is such a great time; it's a wonderful season, and we've all come together tonight as a community to celebrate while remembering there are those who aren't as fortunate as us," said Suozzi. "Christmas spirit's always alive; but once a year we really get together as a world. We really remember how good it is to be alive, to love other people, and we hope for peace and happiness in the world."
The tree was donated by the Merkel family, who had found the tree as a seedling behind their garage 17 years ago. This year, it had become too big for their yard.
The Merkel family said that while they are sad to part with the tree, they are very happy to see it shared with the community.
The festival was coordinated by the Glen Cove Downtown BID. Executive director Francine Koehler said she was pleased with the coordination of the event.
"This is one of my favorite events because the community feels it; it's inspiring," Koehler said. "It's thrilling to see Santa riding in on the fire truck, and the tree being lit to begin the holiday season."
Koehler also made sure to thank the sponsors of this year's event: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, , Servpro, , , National Grid, , and the .
Editor's Note: This story has been revised to include Capital One as one of the event's sponsors.
