Rockville Centre rings in the Christmas holiday with its annual tree lighting ceremony

Posted Thursday, December 14, 2023 7:00 am

Chris Neri, left, Julianna Bragino and Olivia Bragino celebrate the holidays during the tree lighting at the Village Green on Dec. 5.

Tim Baker/Herald

A time-honored tradition in the Village of Rockville Centre, hundreds gathered at the Village Green along Maple Avenue last week for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Tim Baker/Herald

Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer celebrate the holiday season at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5, alongside Recreation Department employees Grace Macaluso, left, Daniella McCoy and Chase Polito.

Tim Baker/Herald

Rockville Centre Recreation Department Superintendent Karen Polito, left, joins Director of Senior Services Nancy Codispoti, Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley, Village Trustee Katie Conlon, and Director of Public Works Gwynne Feiner stand under the glow of the tree.

Tim Baker/Herald

Tommy Orsillo, left, Mac Alerte, Melanie Conlisk, Sammy Orsillo, Juliette Clancy, Nick Orsillo, Nolan Conlisk, Bowden Alerte, Ellie Clancy and Jack Clancy celbrate with a cup of hot cocoa underneath the tree.

Tim Baker/Herald

Elena and Grace Rau joined Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley and Mayor Francis Murray to help flip the switch and light the Christmas tree.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

Santa Claus hitches a ride with the Rockville Centre Fire Department during the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer are feeling the spirit of the season in their festive costumes.

Tim Baker/Herald

By Daniel Offner

Families, friends and neighbors in the Rockville Centre community came out to the Village Green on Dec. 5, to ring in the holiday season with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

Hundreds gathered excitedly around the tree for the countdown, as the two VIP guests, Elena and Grace Rau, flipped the switch and illuminated the night sky in the warm glow of the festive holiday lights.

During the event, hot cocoa was served to help keep everyone nice and toasty. At the same time, students with the South Side Middle School Chorale, the South Side High School ‘Choraleers,’ and the South Side High School Wind Ensemble brought Christmas tidings of joy and cheer with a performance of several holiday classics.

Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer paid a visit to the tree, along with jolly old Santa Claus, himself, who got a lift with the Rockville Centre Fire Department, to pay a special visit to all the good boys and girls in Rockville Centre.

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Rockville Centre rings in the Christmas holiday with its annual tree lighting ceremony

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