Photos and text by Stacie Joy
Neighborhood residents came together late yesterday afternoon for the 33rd edition of the tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park... the ceremony brought the community together in a warm celebration of the season.
Sponsor C&B Cafe provided its famed chocolate chip cookies (with finishing salt), and Veselka brought hot chocolate and apple cider for all... and the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City provided the soundtrack.
Attendees included the original organizer, Albert Fabozzi...
... and in the crowd...
And the big moment...
... and later...
Postscript
Of course, it would only be an East Village tree lighting with some drama from the Parks Department.
C&B owner Ali Sahin told me that up until yesterday, Parks officials said they wouldn't be able to get the tree lit in time and would need to postpone the event.
However, Parks came through in the clutch and got the tree lights up. Still, the light pole they connected the tree to wasn't working, so they had to rewire it at the last minute.
C&B also paid for the lights, which are $30 per string. This tree has 19 strings. (The tree is adorned with all-white lights this year... creating a vivid and striking display at night.)
Meanwhile, as people left the holiday ceremony, the NYPD was on the scene to hand out tickets for open containers.
Merry Christmas!
3 comments:
Now here is a fine example of local restauranteurs stepping up and beyond to support the actual neighborhood. Folks like C&B, Two Boots, La Palapa and even the Ukranian gastropub/megabrand on 9th/Second have a long history of looking out for and helping local people beyond just themselves, their employees and their customers. This in stark contrast to the grifters on 2nd Street off Avenue B who represent the epitome of hubris, pomposity and, I’ll say it, greed. Meanwhile, happy holidays everybody. Love, love, love. JG
i love the new lights!
Ditto to Jose, well said. Many thanks to all who organized, donated, and sang carols. At $30 per string of lights, it is a good thing they all lighted this year on cue. We were crossing our fingers during the countdown. Thanks for all the great photos, Stacy! I finally got to see what you looked like!!
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