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Community Corner

East Rockaway Hosts Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Local residents came out to enjoy holiday festivities on Friday night.

The Village of East Rockaway Town Hall hosted a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 9. Local residents and town officials were present to spread the holiday spirit during the most joyous times of the year.

In years past, the event included a parade that traveled down Atlantic Avenue, but this year, the town decided to keep the festivities in the confines of the Village Hall and Senior Center.

With upwards of 300 people in attendance, East Rockaway Mayor Francis Lenahan Jr. deemed the event a large success and a positive influence for the young generation. 

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“I think it was a very good decision being that there are hundreds of people here,” Lenahan said. “I want to thank our Fire Department, Junior Fire Department and Recreation Department for putting on this beautiful event.” 

Chorus groups from the Rhame Avenue School and other local schools began the event by putting on display their best festive songs. This was followed by a mix of dance recitals for the crowd and most importantly, a Santa Claus appearance and the lighting of the 25-foot tree lined with colored lights. 

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In addition, attendees were able to make frosted gingerbread cookies as well as a variety of holiday arts and crafts.

“It was a good turnout in the first time we had it in a centralized location," said Bruno Romano, Deputy Mayor of East Rockaway. "It is nice for the kids to come out for the holidays, especially with the kids doing the presentations for the residents of East Rockaway."

In attendance at the event along with Mayor Lenahan and Deputy Mayor Romano was New York State Senator Dean Skelos and East Rockaway School District faculty members.

View pictures of the entire event in the Patch gallery above. To learn about more events happening in the Village of East Rockaway, please visit the town website

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