The Syosset Chamber of Commerce held their third annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 10 in downtown Syosset, an area the chamber has been working so hard to revitalize since their inception approximately three years ago.

Approximately 600 residents gathered in the north parking lot of the Astoria Federal Savings Bank Plaza, located on Jackson Ave., to attend the festivities, which put everyone in the holiday spirit. The ceremony finished before the rain and snow came, but residents still had to battle the cold. Refreshments, including hot chocolate, helped keep everyone's mind off of the weather and on the holiday season.

Chamber president Frank Urso began the "Homegrown Holiday 2000" festivities by delivering the welcome address. The blessing of the Menorah was performed by Cantor Cathy Barr and the Blessing of the Tree and Creche was done by Father Felix Weerasinghe. Then, after the Star Spangled Banner, host Seth Nadler and hostess Beth Howard took over the stage.

The Syosset High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Laurence Ballereau, warmed up the chilling temperatures with some holiday favorites.

The Syosset High School Adelettes, led by Kristen Howell, and the jazz choir sang White Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock, which featured Holly Bender, Aimee DeShayes, Dana Friedman, Sasha Sadikot and E'Tienne Townsend.

Martha Merideth's Dance Theatre Eclectic, comprised of members Maria Incalcaterra, Antonia Zaferiou, Stephanie Quick and Leigh-Ann Sambus, performed Waltz of the Flowers. Their exquisite ballet routine was a crowd favorite.

"It is so cold out here," said Maria Incalcaterra, "but so much fun. The girls have been practicing since last's year holiday performance for their routine this year."

Beth Howard sang Bashana Habah-A and Christina Tamdjidi delighted the crowd with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Another group of performers from Dance Theatre Eclectic performed Candy Candy in their candy cane inspired outfits. The group featured Ariana DiLorenzo, Katie Ferris, Amanda Hartzman and Alisa Severin.

Seth Nadler performed Ave Maria, a song that Frank Urso dedicated to Mike Biondo, former owner of the property used for the holiday festivities. Biondo made numerous donations to the chamber to support the Holiday festivities and unfortunately passed away a few months ago.

Cynthia Trainor, who is the lead singer of the Pop Orchestra that performs at the Tilles Center, sang I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Other performances were made by Robyn Brausa, singing Sleigh Ride, Jeff Stern singing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Katelyn McGowan and Sarah Denby singing a duet of All I Want for Christmas. Ariana DiLorenzo sang The Dreidl Song. It was planned that DiLorenzi would sing with partner Ariana Giselle Godles, but she was not at the festivities, so DiLorenzo had to sing alone.

Martha Merideth's Dance Theatre Eclectic performed a dance number to Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud. This song featured Stephanie Quick, Leigh-Ann Sambus, Ariana DiLorenzo, Maria Incalcaterra and Antonia Zaferiou.

All of the young singers, dancers and musicians featured in this year's festivities, appropriately titled Homegrown Holiday 2000, are all homegrown and from Syosset.

Although special guests Assemblyman Carl Marcellino, Assemblyman David Sidikman, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler, Councilman Anthony Macagnone, Councilman Edward Mangano, Councilman Leonard Symons, Town Clerk Martha Offerman and Receiver of Taxes James Stefanich were all in attendance, Santa Claus stole the show. He arrived on a hook and ladder truck courtesy of the Syosset Fire Department.

Santa made his way to the tree and illuminated the beautiful lights with his "magic" wand and then sat on stage to give children one last chance to make their holiday gift requests. Then Santa, along with members of the chamber of commerce, handed out popcorn balls to the crowd.

"The kids from Syosset are just fantastic," said Urso. "The event was a huge success. It was perfect."