It’s a beloved holiday tradition!
Children shared their holiday wishes with Santa Claus and even got to take home a stuffed animal during the tree-lighting ceremony that state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Marine Park) hosted at the historic Hendrick I. Lott House on Dec. 9.
The weather was cold and blustery, but hot chocolate lifted everyone’s holiday spirits — even if it was too chilly to stick around for long, according one Marine Parker who attended with his family and infant son.
“It was definitely cold,” said James McKelvey. “We were there quick, not long, ’cause it was too cold for the baby. We just took a picture with Santa and grabbed a cup of hot chocolate.”
The decorated tree is certainly not as extravagant as the one at Rockefeller Center on the distant island of Manhattan, but it’s big enough, and its bright lights brought the community together, said Marine Parker Peggy Ann Accardo, whose 4-year-old granddaughter was excited to sit on Santa’s lap.
“It was a very nice evening. There was holiday music played, a disc jockey spinning, and all the children went up to Santa on a bench in front of the tree,” she said. “It’s not tremendous tree like the Rockefeller, but it’s a nice tree and it’s a nice community event for the neighborhood.”
