The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday parade this past Saturday, kicking off the holiday season in Farmingdale. The nice fall day once again brought out one of the largest turnouts in the 14-year history of the parade. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce and its President Debbie Podolski for organizing and coordinating this wonderful event. To see all the smiling children, hear the Farmingdale High School band playing holiday songs and witness Santa (a.k.a. Dr. Walter Preistley) arriving on top our Fire Department Ladder Truck was very special. I want to compliment all the Brownie and Girl Scout Troops for their beautiful and creative costumes that they made and wore in the parade. There were: snowflakes, snowmen, snow angels, Christmas trees, snowflake and snowball expresses and my favorite the holiday penguins! Many of the marchers provided extra entertainment along the parade route, singing their own holiday songs. The Farmingdale High School Marching Band and the Dalerettes played and danced their way down Main Street (many of the band members taking the time to decorate their instruments). The line at the end of the parade to meet Santa was the longest I can remember. It's these types of events that make me very proud to be Mayor of our fair village. To have all our children, no matter what holiday they celebrate, marching side by side, singing, laughing and having a grand 'ole time is what our community is all about. It's also about our local business owners and business members who make up the chamber. They devote countless hours working to improve our community and promote business (they are also responsible for the beautiful candy cane lights and snowflakes that are now on many poles on Hempstead Turnpike and Route 109). Please remember to patronize them for your holiday shopping, dining and other business services you might need. I have to also thank the Farmingdale Fire Department, what's a parade without fire trucks! Also thanks go out to the Nassau County Police 8th Precinct for supplying the sector cars for the parade route and Joann Edling and the Auxiliary Police for proving the added coverage that enables us to hold these and other parades, without them we could not assure the safety of the marchers. Another Farmingdale tradition sponsored by the Chamber, the Kiwanis and the Farmingdale Bethpage Historical Society will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 28; the Holiday Lighting of the Tricentennial Tree. Please come out to the Village Green at 6 p.m. to share in the festivities and take in some unique Farmingdale cheer.