Glittery delights at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

With our feasting concluded, this festive time of year is now in full swing. That means the Festival of Trees returns to Museum Row in Garden City this weekend with the latest edition of its popular spectacle.
Year after year artisans, local entertainers, volunteers and visitors gather at Cradle of Aviation Museum, Friday through Sunday, to usher in the season. It’s all about sharing some holiday cheer in support of Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau, the beneficiary of the event.
See trees, trees and more trees all weekend long. The display of the 40 6 1/2-foot trees and over 100 2-foot mini-trees commands attention as soon as visitors step into the museum’s grand atrium. Each is creatively decorated with a unique theme.
Among the highlights, “All that Glittters,” designed by Peggy Bridgewater, of East Meadow, is adorned with gold and silver glittery ornaments along with reindeers, birds snowflakes and poinsettias.“I was inspired to choose this theme because of the ornaments,” Bridgewater says. “They are so festive and beautiful and the tree skirt is gorgeous.”
The Theresa Russo Foundation in Lido Beach works with students with disabilities to create “Up-Cycled Holiday Fun,” using recycled holiday cards and re-purposed items to help celebrate the season. Their aim is to bring awareness to the need for conservation, recycling and the protection of our environment.

Other standouts include Norma Vetell’s “Los Cascabeles” (Jingle Bells), created with the assistance of students from her school All About Spanish in Bellmore. It features colorful bells, pinecones, Latin American ribbons and lights, along with some gigantic poinsettias in many colors. “We feel special when we participate and contribute to this cause that we believe in. We feel a very special bond with CP Nassau,” says Vetell.
The Metro Parrot Head Club always keeps fun in the sun at the forefront of their tree; this year’s “Coastal Christmas” offers up a breezy Margaritaville vibe. Flowers by Voegler, of Merrick, returns with “Christmas Night Blessings” because as designer Theresa Soto says, “we all need blessings.” And Oyster Bay’s Kristi Halpern does a tree each year fashioned with luxurious ribbon; this year’s version is Winter Garden Walk.” This garden-themed tree includes ribbons and natural accents. There is also a Star Wars-themed tree, and — for hockey fans — even New York Rangers and New York Islanders versions.
“Each year we look forward to the opportunity to create a beautiful tree and to share it with the community,” says Soto. “We have won ribbons for our tree and have been happy to hear that our tree always sells and the funds raised go to programs and services at CP Nassau, which make us very proud.”
The glittery display also always includes those 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 every year by culinary students from Barry Tech Institute in Westbury. As always, all trees and gingerbread houses are for sale.
The festive trees provide a shimmering backdrop for the many activities that will appeal to ages, including entertainment and a holiday marketplace. This year there’s even an opportunity to do some ice skating (indoors). And, naturally, Santa is around to visit with families throughout the weekend.
“We are currently celebrating our 70th anniversary year of providing assistance to individuals with disabilities,” says CP Nassau Executive Director Bob McGuire. “Today, we help over 1,500 children and adults and, on behalf of them and all at CP Nassau, I want to thank those who make the Festival of Trees possible. All these years, our friends and neighbors in the community show their interest and support and they help make a difference at our agency. We thank the tree designers, the entertainers, the volunteers, the vendors, all the attendees and all the sponsors and people who purchase the trees. It is always important to express gratitude, but at holiday time we are especially inspired by the goodness we see and are compelled to shine a light on that positive spirit and celebrate it and see it for the priceless gift it is.”
The weekend’s varied entertainment features performances by local singers and dancers, including Oyster Bay’s Gone Dancing studio and the St. Agnes Cathedral Choir, of Rockville Centre, among others. Rockville Centre’s Leggz Ltd. Dance troupe is always on hand, performing excerpts from their upcoming holiday production of “The Nutcracker.”
The Force also gets in on the action — in the form of Star Wars re-enactors from the 501st Legion and Empire City Garrison who appear on Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Their “Blast a Trooper” event is always a popular activity that day.
Kids will certainly want to visit with Santa, and the Festival Marketplace, which includes the Festival Toy Shoppe, is another popular spot.
The event is s a longstanding holiday tradition for its legions of devoted volunteers.
Among them is Karen Kiefel, of Valley Stream, who is the Dept. 56 Shoppe manager, as well as a tree designer. “I have been volunteering at the Festival of Trees for the past 26 years, and seeing the joy on children’s faces makes it all worthwhile.”

Long Island Festival of Trees
When: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15, $10 ages 2-12. Admission includes entry to the festival and the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Where: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Museum Row, Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Garden City. (516) 378-2000 ext. 648 or www.cradleofaviation.org or
www.cpnassau.org.