Bellmore Chamber of Commerce hosts holiday extravaganza

Debby Izzo, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, tried to project her voice over the excited screaming of children at the Bellmore Tree Lighting and Holiday Extravaganza. But she couldn’t help but voice her reply to one member of the crowd through her megaphone.

“We all know Santa rules,” she said with a smile.

Izzo was joined by other members of the chamber, local officials, community organizations and dozens of Bellmorites at the annual Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 7.

Rain did not deter crowds of residents from coming out for the annual event sponsored by the chamber. Attendees had the chance to ride a trolley through the community, take a horse-and-carriage ride, buy holiday treats from the Kiwanis Club and other groups, and take part in activities at booths sponsored by local radio stations.

Before and after the tree was lit at the Long Island Rail Road station, carolers from Bellmore schools and other choirs sang holiday songs.

Town of Hempstead Clerk Mark Bonilla, of Bellmore, and Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg attended the ceremony. Denenberg reminded the crowd to put their families and friends first during the holidays, while Bonilla jokingly told children to not fight with their siblings as a gift to their parents.