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'Lighting of Gibson' returns after hiatus

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To mark the start of the upcoming holiday season, residents, village officials and even Santa Claus turned out for the “Lighting of Gibson” Sunday night at the Gibson train station. It was the first tree lighting there in over 20 years.

Mayor Ed Fare was happy to see the festivities return after the long break. “On behalf of the Village of Valley Stream, the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Stream Fire Department, we are delighted to see so many joyful Valley Streamers turn out as a nostalgic and favorite tradition here in Gibson is brought back for a new generation of Gibsonites to enjoy,” he said.

The tree lighting wasn’t brought about with major publicity or notice. Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce member Nicole Eliopoulos said most of the publicity included one robocall and a few small posts on her part in the local Facebook groups.

Those small reminders paid off in a modest but all-around festive turnout, despite the rain.

“I think it was an amazing turnout for our first year back,, considering the weather and little publicity, the turnout was great.” Eliopoulos said. “The rain came down all day, though a little clearing at the time of the lighting allowed for the festivities to go on.”