On the chilly evening of Dec. 5, the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Hempstead, along with Levittown residents gathered at Levittown Veterans Memorial Park in front of the Levittown Library to celebrate the start of the holiday season with the town's annual holiday tree lighting.

The approximately 200 people in attendance, including dignitaries Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Assemblyman Dave McDonough and Levittown Fire Commissioner Joseph Bentivegna, were serenaded by Christmas songs. The St. Bernard's Children's Choir, Island Trees High School Chamber Orchestra, Northside Holiday Ensemble, Mickey Lebrecht School of Dance and the Gardiners Avenue Theatre Club all performed on a stage provided by a Hempstead Town Showmobile on loan for the evening.

Following the performances, Santa Claus was delivered via hook and ladder truck from the Levittown Fire Department, sending the children into a frenzy. At promptly 7:50 p.m. he flipped the switch to illuminate the 12-foot holiday tree to wrap up the festivities.

With the continued development of this annual event, more and more people are contributing each year. The Division Avenue Deli and Starbucks Coffee even supplied the crowd with coffee and hot chocolate to help combat the near freezing temperatures throughout the evening.

Levittown Chamber of Commerce President Louise Cassano has been extremely instrumental in the growth of this celebration and realizes its importance.

"The Chamber has been holding a tree lighting for about eight years," Cassano said. "The significance of it is to bring people together as a community before the rush of the holiday season begins."

Frank Mormando is the chairperson of the event and takes time out of his busy schedule to help bring the community together. He helps decorate the tree, and is the contact person for response from all the children's groups.

"I just like to give back," a modest Mormando said. "I would just like to give thanks to the Town of Hempstead and the Levittown Fire Department for making this possible."

The most important part of the program is creating a pleasurable experience for the children and getting them into the holiday spirit.

"The children's groups always look forward to it," Cassano said.

Ernie Meditz, the leader of the St. Bernard's children's choir echoed that sentiment and added, "This teaches the kids about community involvement, and contributing their voices to the community."

This is the fifth year that the event has been held at Veterans Memorial Park. Previously, the tree had been lit at Greenpoint (now North Fork) Bank at the Corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Wantagh Avenue. About five years ago the Chamber had the gazebo installed at Veterans Memorial Park so the lighting has been done there ever since.

The Chamber of Commerce plans to keep the holiday tree lighting as a fixture in Levittown for years to come. Current Vice President and President Elect Kevin Regan confirmed that the celebration will continue during his reign and happily said, "It's a great kickoff to the holidays."