The Village of New Hyde Park and the Village of Williston Park held their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremonies last Saturday and Sunday evenings respectively.

Prior to the tree lighting in New Hyde Park there was a Christmas party featuring magician/comedian Bob Infantino for the children of the village at Marcus Christ Hall sponsored by the generosity of State Bank of Long Island.

Infantino, who wanted to be known as "plain ole Bob" was very engaging and enthralled the children with many of his magic antics as he interacted with the children.

The ladies of the North New Hyde Park Lions Club were on hand at the end of the program at Marcus Christ to hand out chocolate lollipops to all the children and as they exited the program to attend the tree lighting they were greeted by none other than Santa himself.

Once out on the grounds the Girls Scouts helped to decorate the tree with "environmentally friendly" ornaments they made in their various troops as they listened to the New Hyde Park Memorial Chamber Singers and the New Hyde Park Memorial High School Band perform many of Christmas favorites.

New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio was at the event with his wife Roseann along with trustees Don Barbieri, Richard Coppola, Lawrence Montreuil and Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro. We also spotted village justice Chris DeVane, village clerk Patrick Farrell and Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce President Florence Lisanti and 1st VP of State Bank of Long Island, Mary Dillon, at the very crowded event.

Williston Park held its tree lighting ceremony on the lawn of village hall, Willis Avenue, Williston Park, as a record crowd of children and adults packed the lawn.

The program, introduced by Mayor Doreen Ehrbar, featured songs by the Girls Scouts of troops 1240, 1151 and 1200, gathering on the steps of village hall to sing Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.

This was followed by Rosemarie Ferrara who sang a beautiful Christmas song and she was followed by the South Shore Brass Band, of Deer Park, led by Denise Meshejian who played Christmas tunes until the crowd heard the roar of the Williston Park Fire truck who carried Santa and his elves to the outside of the Williston Park Ambulance where Santa greeted all the children with a little gift and then each child was treated to hot chocolate and cookies.

Everyone at both events had a great time and it was a great way to officially kick-off the holiday season in both villages.