The holiday season officially kicks off this Sunday in Throggs Neck with the lighting of the community’s Christmas tree on Sunday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m.
The first 300 children in attendance will receive toys from Santa Claus, who is expected to ride in from the North Pole. The St. Benedict’s Church children’s choir and schoolchildren from P.S. 14 will sing holiday songs to kick off the festive season. There will also be pictures with Santa and his elves for all children who are there on time.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto coordinates the event at Derosa-O’Boyle Triangle, where Dewey and E. Tremont avenues meet.The Throggs Neck Merchants Association provides downloadable photos with Santa available just 48 hours after the event, and donates about $3,000 worth of quality toys to distribute.
“This will be a delightful start to the holiday season, and I want to thank everyone who is working so hard to make it a success: Sister Anne and the St. Benedict’s Choir, the P.S. 14 Choir, the Throggs Neck Merchants Association, the Parks Department and, of course, Santa Claus,” Benedetto said.“I would like to give a special thanks to Better Gro for generously donating the Christmas tree. The entire community is invited to attend, and I look forward to seeing everyone.”
The Christmas tree is lit near the start of the evening, which is expected to last from 5:30 until around 8 p.m. Because of an illness in the family, the Mennas, who helped found the annual Christmas Tree lighting for the community, will not be participating.
“This is going to be the fourth year that the Throggs Neck Merchants Association is involved with the Christmas tree lighting, and every year it keeps getting better and better,” Cerini said.
The Waterbury LaSalle Community Association will hold its Christmas Tree lighting at Schneider-Sampson Park on Bruckner Boulevard at Baisley Avenue on Saturday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m. There will be a horse-drawn sleigh to deliver Santa Claus, as well as hot chocolate, gifts, and music.
