Lighting up the season

Hundreds gathered around the Christmas tree during Rockville Centre’s annual lighting ceremony.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Mayor Murray, left, with tree-lighter Doug Gonzalez and his father, Steven.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

South Side Students sang Christmas carols to the gathered crowd.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Camille Charvet, left, Jacqueline and Tori Pozzulo, Charlie Casolaro, Jenna Flynn and Josephine O’Brien had some hot cocoa at the tree lighting.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Ellie and Jay Macaluso enjoyed the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

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The Rockville Centre Village Green was a picture of winter festivity on Dec. 5, as more than 250 residents gathered for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

The crowd was clad in coats, scarves and Christmas garb, and enjoyed hot chocolate provided by Busco’s Deli and the Vineyard Church. South Side High School’s pep band, directed by Barry LeBron, teamed up with the chorus, directed by Doreen Fryling, to deliver delightful renditions of such Christmas classics as “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” and, of course, “O Christmas Tree.”

Mayor Francis X. Murray presided over the ceremonies, and the police department provided parking assistance on a packed Maple Avenue. Anthony Brunetta, superintendent of parks and recreation and yearly organizer of the event, received rousing applause from the crowd. Even Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer were in attendance, dancing along to the holiday tunes.

After village resident Doug Gonzalez, better known as Dougie Strong, lit the tree, Santa Claus appeared on the back of a firetruck, signaling to all in the vicinity that the Christmas season had indeed arrived.