Empire Hose Company 3 hosts annual Christmas tree sale

As her friends and their family shopped for the perfect tree, 10-year-old Emily Demirdas stood on a pile of trimmed evergreen branches and held a twig above her head. “Pick me, I’m the tree!” she shouted.

Empire Hose Company 3 in Merrick hosted its annual Christmas tree sale for the 19th year. Ex-Chief Ron Luparello helped escort shoppers around as they looked for the tree they liked most. Merrick Fire Department employees and volunteers then cut the base of the tree and trimmed it of hanging twigs before wrapping it to be taken home. For those who couldn’t make it to the location, the fire department offered delivery options as well.

The location on Merrick Avenue across from the Public Library was open to the public as the parking lot was lined with Frasier Fir trees from North Carolina. The fire department offered hot chocolate and a bonfire for warmth as families and friends found their favorite tree.