By Dan Murphy
Yonkers, as always, has a number of tree lighting events and holiday festivities occurring all over the city.
On Dec 3, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano ushered in the 2019 holiday season with the annual Yonkers City Hall’s Christmas tree lighting. (Editor’s note: The city changed the name of its celebration from “holiday” tree lighting to “Christmas” tree lighting after Councilman Anthony Merante submitted a resolution, which had unanimous council support, urging the city to call its December event a “Christmas” tree lighting).
The Children’s Choir of St. Casimir Church in Yonkers, Cross Hill Academy Drumline, Nepperhan Community Center Choir, Yonkers Idol Ada Victoria Israel and Junior Idol Amanda Gentile and the Hand Bell Choir of Oakview Preparatory School all performed, and Santa Claus made an appearance to cap off the evening as the City Hall tree was lit.
Other upcoming Yonkers holiday happenings include:
Dec. 6 – Tree lighting by Colonial Heights Association at St. George Parkway and Longview Terrace, 7 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 8 – Tree lighting by Cedar Knolls Colony at Darcy Park, 3 to 5 p.m.; tree lighting by McLean Avenue Merchants at Conor Park, 6 to 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 – Tree lighting by South Broadway BID at Lincoln Park, 4 to 6 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Tree lighting by Untermyer Conservancy at Untermyer Park, 5:3 0 to 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Pre-Chanukah menorah lighting at City Hall Rotunda 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Pre Kwanzaa celebration at City Hall Rotunda, 4:30 p.m.
The Christmas trees have already been lit at the Cross County Shopping Center and Ridge Hill, with Santa settling in and listening to the gift wishes of area children.
If we missed your group or organization, email us so we can get you into the next issue. Send your photos or holiday wishes to dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com. And if there is someone who needs help this holiday season, email us about them and we will see what we can do.
