Holiday fun at the Long Island Festival of Trees

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Live entertainment on the “Red Planet Café” stage is featured throughout the weekend, with something for everyone to enjoy. Rockville Centre’s Leggz Ltd. Dance troupe returns once again, performing excerpts from “The Nutcracker” on Friday and Saturday, in addition to other local groups.
Kids will certainly want to visit with Santa, and, of course, the Festival Marketplace, which includes the Festival Toy Shoppe and the Dept 56 Shop, is another popular spot.
Also, visitors can enjoy rides on the historic Nunley’s Carousel, which certainly holds fond memories for many Long Islanders.
The festival has legions of devoted volunteers for whom the event is a cherished part of their holiday traditions. Long Beach resident Jack Sullivan is among the many loyal supporters. A UCPN volunteer for over 30 years, he has been enthusiastically contributing his time and energy to the festival for some 10 years now.
“I love volunteering at the festival,” he said. “I have fun while I help support UCPN, a great organization. My grandkids come each year and enjoy every moment.”
Malverne’s Peggy Quinn is another longtime volunteer. “Volunteering at the festival is something I love to do,” she enthused. “It is so great to see how happy all the kids are at the event! There are smiles everywhere you look!”
And for Karen Kiefel, of Valley Stream, assisting at the festival is a beloved holiday ritual for her family and friends. “I recruit everyone I know to help UCPN and have a good time while they are doing that. It is a great event that I encourage all to attend. You get a day of fun for the $12 ticket price and help raise needed funds too!”

Long Island Festival of Trees
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
$12 admission includes entrance to the festival, access to the Cradle of Aviation Museum and carousel ride.
Cradle of Aviation Museum, Museum Row, Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Garden City. (516) 378-2000 ext. 648 or www.ucpn.org.

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