Go Christmas tree.
The Carroll Gardens Association, a neighborhood group that serves the Columbia Waterfront District in addition to other areas, lit up a festive fir on Friday at the Human Compass Garden on Columbia Street near Sackett Street.
Photo by Elizabeth Graham
“This is a good way to celebrate the community of the Columbia Waterfront,” said Vilma Heramia, the organization’s director.
The lightbulb moment came just as Santa arrived on a fire truck, to the delight of more than 70 kids.
The Dan Kurfirst Trio performed jazz renditions of classic Christmas tunes as Santa handed out jump-ropes, Chinese checkers, Barbie dolls, and other toys to the gaggle of girls and boys who showed up for the seventh annual lighting. The civic group started the tradition to brighten up the construction-clogged neighborhood, Heramia said.
“We wanted this community to be more vibrant and [hoped to] improve the quality of life in this community,” she said.
The do-gooder admitted that this year’s celebration saw a slight dip in attendance due to the competing Carroll Park tree lighting, which was rescheduled for the same night after a bout of rain on Dec. 5. Santa managed to make it to the Carroll Gardens shindig, too, with a crew of elves and carolers in tow.
