Sunday's parting shots

The grand finale at today's 28th annual Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting ceremony... Steven shared these photos...



We'll have more later tomorrow via EVG contributor Stacie Joy...

Video: The origins of the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting

As a warmup to today's 28th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park (4-5 p.m.!) ... here's a video short from 2018 with Albert Fabozzi, founder of the lighting ceremony...





Fabozzi planted the evergreen in 1992 in memory of Glenn Barnett, his partner, who died of AIDS ...

Prepping for the 28th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting

Workers are prepping the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon ahead of tomorrow's lighting ceremony (thanks to Steven for the photos!) ...



As a reminder...



The 28th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting happens tomorrow (Dec. 8) from 4-5 p.m. The Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City will be, uh, caroling... music comes via the Mandel & Lydon Trio ... and refreshments are courtesy of Veselka and C&B Cafe.

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting is Dec. 8!

[Photo by Steven]

Well, while you're waiting for one holiday to begin... here's some save-the-date info — the 28th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting happens on Dec. 8 from 4-5 p.m.

Expect caroling, refreshments, etc.! Always a good time. More details next week!

Meanwhile, in a bit of good news, that mysterious hole that arrived near the tree last Christmas Eve eve was filled in on Nov. 6 after nearly 11 months ...


[Photo from Nov. 6 by Steven]

(Of course there are those smaller mysterious holes now...)

January Christmas miracles: The holiday tree lights are back ON in Tompkins Square Park

EVG reader boxysean brings us this breaking news today:

The Christmas tree lights are on! It's a New Year's miracle!

The workers were talking about how they were changing the ballast.

As previously reported, the lights went dark several days before Dec. 25, and remained off the entire holiday season. It makes sense that they are working again on this Jan. 18.

Meanwhile, the mysterious hole near the tree remains in place, mysteriously.

Updated 2:18 p.m.

Here some closeups via Goggla...





Updated 5 p.m.



Previously on EV Grieve:
At the 27th Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lightning

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.”