Light ’em up! Ridge parks ablaze with Christmas spirit

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — in Bay Ridge’s parks, at least.

(From left) Reagan Rawner, 7; Destiny Clancy, 12; and Krystal Clancy, 10, decorate the tree at the Christmas tree lightning at McKinley Park on Dec. 13.

Photo by Alice Proujansky

A pair of tree lightings last week have put the Ridge in the holiday spirit.

Destiny Clancy, 12, and Reagan Rawner, 7, pose with hot cocoa at the Christmas tree lighting, sponsored by state Sen. Marty Golden, at McKinley Park.

Photo by Alice Proujansky

Dozens of kids, neighbors and — of course — Santa Claus, turned up to carol, sip hot chocolate and gawk in awe at the trees’ lights.

Santa arrives at McKinley Park with a bag full of toys.

Photo by Alice Proujansky

“The Christmas tree lightings are always a special event that helps to bring out the holiday spirit in the neighborhood,” said state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge), who sponsored the events. “I am also always proud to welcome Santa Claus to Brooklyn, and to stand with my neighbors and sing Christmas carols.”

Santa doles out sweets to everyone gathered to watch the tree lighting.

Photo by Alice Proujansky

Claus could not immediately be reached for comment.

Four-year-olds Mia and Sophia Carione, both of Dyker Heights, get a chance to tell Santa what they’d like for Christmas.

Photo by Alice Proujansky

Last Monday’s lighting was held at Pigeon Park on 95th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues, and last Tuesday’s was at McKinley Park on 73rd Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Seventh Avenue.

Reach reporter Dan MacLeod at dmacleod@cnglocal.com or by calling him at (718) 260-4507. You can also follow his Tweets at @dsmacleod.