59.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Lynbrook was a Winter Wonderland
Village hosts holiday festival
It’s that time again to make room for fun and magic as residents spread some holiday cheer during a winter celebration in Lynbrook on Dec. 4.
Dashing rides, prancing ponies, and festive foods lined Atlantic Avenue. Visitors watched the feats of stilt walkers, and got to sing along with yuletide carols, as the Long Island Harmonizers chorus and quartets performed.
There was also a tree lighting to mark the beginning of the holiday season, watched by the village’s children and adults.
And for those action seekers, there were pony rides, dancing and a petting zoo. Frosty the snowman stopped by, said Recreation Director Pat McDermott, an event organizer. He remembers watching his daughters visit with Santa and Frosty in previous years, loving that experience, he said.
Perhaps visitors will remember the smells of popcorn and pretzels floating in the afternoon air. The Lynbrook Fire Department gave away S mores for the chocolate lovers. And there was some delicious apple cider for everyone to wash it down.
Last year, there was a good turnout, McDermott said, but this year brought nearly 800 people. McDermott, along with recreation staff members Ginger Fitzer and Pat Ciampi and other volunteers, organized this year’s celebration for the first time. The group had been planning since September, and McDermott is very thankful for everyone’s help, including Mayor Bill Hendrick and the village board, he said. “It was phenomenal,” he said. “Everything was fantastic.”
Local Girl Scouts also collected hats, scarves and clothes for those in need. In addition, the village’s recreation center collected toys for children. There was also an opportunity for visitors to bring in supplies for troops, McDermott said.
