Park Slope kicked off the holiday season with its 15th annual tree lighting yesterday at 5th Avenue and 4th Street. The event featured family-friendly activities like photos with Santa, soapy snowflake displays, holiday hot chocolate, and live music from Music with Patrick, as reported by abc7NY.
This year's event was especially meaningful as it coincided with Small Business Saturday. Joanna Tallantire of the Park Slope Business Improvement District said, “Support small businesses, they are supportive of a lot of our communities, our schools, our sports teams. They have unique products and great customer service, too,” as reported by PIX11 News. Local shops like Chela served Mexican hot chocolate, while Simple Loaf Bakehouse offered churros to warm up the crowd.
The Park Slope 5th Avenue Business Improvement District encouraged attendees to bring toy donations for the Camp Friendship holiday drive.
The event was made even more magical by Chris Catanese, known as Mr. Bubble, who wowed the crowd with his bubble show using simple tools like a towel and a leaf blower. "It’s just really a matter of harnessing them," Catanese told PIX11 News. Attendees also shared their holiday wishes with Santa and his elves. Local parent Christie Megill shared a thoughtful wish: “I wish this holiday season could bring people a little more together. I hope people get kinder, closer, share more a little goodwill everyday.”
At precisely 5:15 p.m., the lights were switched on, illuminating the plaza and symbolizing the collective warmth of a community united in celebration and solidarity.
