Dreams of a light Christmas dashed, attention turns to mysterious hole in Tompkins Square Park

The lights on the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree have been off now going on two weeks.

A mysterious hole arrived near the tree in the days leading up to Christmas Eve Eve.

That hole remains guarded by three sections of a barricade... with "Danger: Do Not Enter" signage...





Word here is an electrical issue KO'd the lights, thus ruining Christmas. Some readers are hopeful that the lights will be back on in time for Easter.

Meanwhile... please do not attempt, despite what you might see on social media...

Happy New Years! Fuck the world! pic.twitter.com/M7MH2jKajI

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) January 1, 2019

H/T Steven!

Christmas Eve Eve, ruined

The lights remain off on the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree...

In a search for answers, Lola Sāenz points to this mysterious hole near the tree...







There's no immediate explanation for the hole, and whether it is natural — or supernatural.

Scrooged: Tompkins Square Park holiday tree remains dark

The lights on the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park have been off the last few nights.

Other lights are on, so they must have paid the electric bill.

At the 27th Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lightning

As promised, some more photos from yesterday's tree lighting ceremony in Tompkins Square Park.

All photos here are from EVG contributor Stacie Joy...







Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City provided entertainment ...







...along with the Mandel & Lydon Trio...





And some of the residents and local business owners in attendance ...









































Albert Fabozzi started the event in 1992. He planted the tree in memory of Park advocate Glenn Barnett, "and each of our neighbors whom we have lost to AIDS.”

Tompkins Square Park holiday tree now lit for the holiday (and maybe through March)

A nice-sized crowd turned out late this afternoon for the 27th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was onhand for the festivities. We'll post (many) more photos tomorrow (updated: find more photos here).



Meanwhile, EVG contributor Susan Schiffman shared these videos... showing the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City ...



... and the countdown to the lighting...



And Lola Sáenz passed along this photo of freedom fighter Patricia Okoumou, who was in attendance...



Albert Fabozzi started the event in 1992. He planted the tree in memory of Park advocate Glenn Barnett, "and each of our neighbors whom we have lost to AIDS.”

Reminders: Tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon

The 27th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting happens today from 4-5 p.m. featuring the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments via Veselka and C&B Cafe.

In addition, several local businesses are taking part in a "Shop Hop" today in conjunction with the East Village Independent Merchants Association ... here are details via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

East village #shophop this Sunday December 9th at the following merchants @shopexit9 @randomaccessoriesny @evvintagecollective @parlorhairstudio @lasirena_nyc #bonnieslotnickcookbooks it's the 27th annual Tompkins square park Xmas tree lighting. Join us! #vivaeastvillage #shoplocal #nyc

A post shared by EVIMA (@evimanyc) on Dec 7, 2018 at 2:37pm PST

A Tompkins Square Park tree lighting reminder

The tree lighting — the 27th annual — is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. ... and here's the official flyer about the festivities...



Previously

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting is Dec. 9

[Photo from last year's lighting on Dec. 10 by Steven]

The 27th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting happens on Dec. 9 from 4-5 p.m.

The East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) made the announcement yesterday on Instagram...



Per the invite:

The humble evergreen was planted in 1992 in the memory of Glenn Barnett and other neighbors who have died of AIDS. Glenn Barnett was an East Village local and a fierce advocate for the park's value to the community. Over the years, this event has turned into a beloved tradition. The evening will include carolers, refreshments, official tree lighting and raffle giveaways.

Will post more details on the tree lighting 12-13 times before Dec. 9.

The EVIMA is also look for local businesses to help sponsor the event. Details at this link.

H/T Jimmy Carbone!

Let them know it's Christmas time again

An EVG reader pointed out the arrival yesterday of a wheel-less bike under the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park...



There are also at least four discarded coffee cups around the tree and bike... (meant for Santa?)

And the reader shared this photo from last night ...

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree — now with the lights on

EVG contributor Steven shared this photo this afternoon from the 26th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park.

And via Lola Sāenz ...



Updated 8 p.m.

EVG reader Cheyenne passed along these photos of some of the dogs in attendance ...







... and a shot of the tree...