Valley Streamers get in the Christmas spirit

Santa arrived in Valley Stream last Friday night, much to the delight of hundreds of children who came out to give him their Christmas requests.

The village hosted its annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 6, which included a host of activities. Santa came in on a Valley Stream fire truck before heading to his sleigh in Village Hall.

Mayor Ed Fare read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in the lobby, while the Memorial Junior High School band and a group from Bethlehem Assembly of God played holiday music in the courtroom.

Next door at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, children were able to write letters to Santa and were given candy cane treats to take home. Author Patricia Cardello shared her own Christmas story, “The Magical Tale of Santa Dust.”

At about 7:45 p.m., Santa joined village officials for the tree lighting ceremony outside. Even in the rain, hundreds of children and adults gathered around to see the tree illuminated for the first time. The tree was donated by Valley Stream’s scouting units earlier this year. It is 12 feet high and will continue to grow. Several Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, along with their leaders, were on hand.

Following a countdown from 10, Fare and Ariela Hulsen, one of the winners of the Mayor for a Day contest, pulled the switch and Christmas season officially was underway in Valley Stream.

See more photos from the event here.