Stepping Out

Festive sparkle at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

Long Island Festival of Trees welcomes all for some holiday fun

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The holiday season is upon us now and the glittery signs are everywhere. Museum Row in Garden City is among the spots filled with holiday spirit this weekend when the Festival of Trees takes root for its three-day extravaganza, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30. This unique event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum has been bringing together artisans, entertainers, volunteers and the community to celebrate the holiday season for 25 years now.

As always, the trees are the focus of the weekend’s festivities. The display of nearly 40 6½-foot trees and hundreds of 2-foot mini-trees commands attention from the moment visitors step into the museum’s grand atrium. Each is adorned with a unique theme, specially decorated for the occasion. Among the highlights, Chief Equipment, of Freeport, is contributing a John Deere-themed tree complete with kid-sized John Deere ride-on equipment and Flowers by Voegler, a Merrick florist, has created a “Nature’s Beauty” tree.

Also gaze upon the festively adorned “Christmas at Old Westbury Gardens,” “Going Goofy Over Christmas,” “A Tree for All Seasons,” “All That Glitters,” “A Storybook Christmas Spruce,” and “A Vintage Victorian Christmas.” among the many creations on display.

Other unique trees include “Under the Sea” from the Long Island Children’s Museum, “There’s Magic in the Air” by John Reid of Tricky Business Magic, and the Metro Parrott Head Club’s “Mele Kalikimaka” tree. Nassau Community College’s Design Innovators Club from is doing a “Cute as a Button” tree with all handmade ornaments using, you guessed it, buttons. The Harley Owners Group has come up with a “Happy Harley Holidays” tree. Rockville Centre’s Long Island Quilters’ Society is contributing “A Gingerbread Christmas” tree with hand-quilted stars, gingerbread people and hearts. The Theresa Academy of Performing Arts of Lido Beach is putting together a music and art-inspired tree called “With a Song in My Heart,” displaying ornaments created by students with special needs.

The Baldwin Homemakers, Baldwin’s Precious Moments Club and Long Island Keepsakers are also among the many local organizations and businesses that contribute trees. 

Other impressive designs include the latest entry by East Meadow’s Peggy Bridgewater. She has been designing trees for the festival for many years and her trees are frequently awarded honors. This year Bridgewater is contributing “Angelic Christmas.”

The glittering display also includes those 300 mini-trees — in different themes, of course — and wreaths, and swags, all accompanied by a gingerbread village of almost 100 original gingerbread creations, cooked up by culinary students from BOCES Barry Tech Institute in Westbury. As always, all trees and gingerbread houses – besides being appealing to look at – are for sale. Proceeds benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County and the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

The festive trees are a sparkling backdrop for the many activities that will provide holiday cheer to all ages, including entertainment and a holiday marketplace. And, naturally, Santa is around to visit with families throughout the weekend.

The location at the Cradle of Aviation is an added attraction. While there, take the opportunity to explore the many exhibits that celebrate Long Island’s contributions to aviation — from the first flights by frail biplanes on the Hempstead Plains, to man walking on the Moon. It’s a chance to experience history first-hand.

“It’s amazing that this year we mark the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Trees,” says UCPN Executive Director Bob McGuire. “So many people in our communities have helped raise millions of dollars over the years for our agency by creating trees, or gingerbread or entertaining, volunteering or attending. It has been a labor of love and we are so grateful for the generosity of people with funds and with time and talent. We truly depend on support from our friends and neighbors to carry out our mission of providing the highest quality services for the children and adults with disabilities that we serve. We are pleased to play a part in spreading holiday joy through this event.”

“We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the trees, the entertainment, the unique shopping, the museum and all the fun things the festival offers and do good at the same time. We say thanks to all the volunteers and people in the community who help us make this event a success.”

Visitors on Friday can enjoy varied entertainment throughout the day, including a performance by Creation, the ensemble of singers who participate in UCPN’s Adult Day Treatment Program — familiar to those who have attended one of the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra’s yearly benefit concerts. Saturday brings a dance flavor to the proceedings, as local dancers will wow visitors with their dynamic routines throughout the day.

It all comes to a rousing finale on Sunday when the Parrot Head Band takes everyone to Margaritaville in a tribute to Jimmy Buffet.

Among the entertainers throughout the weekend, Rockville Centre’s Leggz Ltd. Dance troupe is always a crowd-pleaser, presenting excerpts from their upcoming holiday production of “The Nutcracker” on Friday and Saturday, in addition to other local groups.

Kids will certainly want to visit with Santa, and, of course, the Festival Marketplace, which includes the Festival Toy Shoppe, is another popular spot. And since it’s all about gingerbread this time of year, the kids will get to decorate a gingerbread cookie with all sorts of delectable trimmings in the cookie area.

The festival has legions of devoted volunteers for whom the event is a longstanding holiday tradition. Long Beach resident Jack Sullivan, a retired Nassau County police officer, is part of UCPN’s loyal cadre of supporters. A volunteer for over 25 years, he has been enthusiastically contributing his time and energy for many years now.

“UCPN is a terrific place and I encourage everyone to come to the festival,” Sullivan says. “What a fun way to show your support for a great agency that does vital work for people with disabilities here in Nassau County. I love that I can now bring my grandkids to the event for a fun start to the holiday season. They love decorating the gingerbread cookies.”
Margaret Annan, of South Hempstead, representing the Long Island Harley Owners Group, is another enthusiastic volunteer.

“Long Island Harley Owners Group (LIHOG) is the original HOG club on Long Island,” she says. “The over 300 members are more than a club, they are a family. They travel together to many motorcycle events, and are very involved in charitable works.”
LIHOG has had a very special relationship with United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County, which began 27 years ago when Annan came to know her neighbor Nichol, who has cerebral palsy. The Annan family became involved with UCPN and enlisted their LIHOG family to help as well. This year, LIHOG has designed a tree the Festival of Trees with a Harley Motorcycle theme. 

“It’s the perfect time of year to celebrate this special friendship,” Annan says.

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