Local residents and students packed the Westbury Recreation Center to ring in the holiday season on Dec. 5, keeping the community’s youngest members at the forefront of the Village of Westbury’s annual tree lighting celebrations.
The night opened with a brass quartet playing traditional holiday tunes before Mayor Peter Cavallaro welcomed the standing-room only crowd.
“Looking at the audience, we’re seeing one of the greatest strengths of our community, whether it’s cultural or religious diversity,” Cavallaro said. “Whatever you celebrate, this is the time of year for all of us to be together and with our families to celebrate and reflect.”
Coming just a few days after a shooting in San Bernardino, CA left 14 dead, Cavallaro urged residents to reflect on the good.
“This was a tough week. Things happen that might make you feel like not being in a holiday mood,” Cavallaro acknowledged. “But look at the faces of the kids here today, they’re the future. This holiday season we should remember those things that sadden us sometimes but also take time to reflect on the good things we have.”
Resident Deborah Dean echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying she came to the tree lighting ceremony to support the community and her children, who participated in the poster contest, the winners of which were announced at the ceremony.
“This event boosts the kids up, and as long as the kids are happy, they’re happy to do this,” Dean said. “The [village] really reaches out to do a lot to reach the children, and that’s what it’s all about because the children are the future.”
Children played a strong role in the event. Winners of the recreation department poster contest were announced and the crowd was then entertained by several student music groups from the Westbury Schools District, including the Powells Lane Select Choir and Westbury Middle School orchestra students.
Resident Marcus Malloy came to the tree lighting event to see his daughter perform with the Powells Lane choir. He said the event served as a nice way to get the community together.
“It’s good to see everyone and it’s a nice outing for the whole community,” Malloy said.
After enjoying cake and hot chocolate, residents headed outside for the tree lighting. As they admired the tree, a Westbury Fire Department truck pulled up to the curb, lights flashing and sirens blaring, to announce the arrival of Santa. Kids squealed in delight as they greeted the jolly man in red, who gave out candy canes and stopped to take pictures in front of the tree.
