Lynbrook families and residents gathered around Five Corners Plaza for the annual tree lighting, bringing the community together to kick off the holiday season’s festivities on Friday, Dec. 5. The event featured a photo booth with Santa along with a performance by the Lynbrook Recreation Center (LRC) Fine Arts Center’s Elite Dance Team.
The LRC planned and set up much of the tree lighting this year. At the event, there were several winter-themed games, including a Plinko game, where players drop a chip down a board of pegs and hope it lands in the middle slot. Junior Giovanna Cerino, who ran the Plinko game, explained her other roles in helping the night run smoothly: “I was working as a recreation attendant running the games, and am the captain of the recreation elite dance team.” She continued, “I got involved by being a recreation attendant at the LRC and by being part of their elite dance team.”
The LRC Dance Team performed a medley of Christmas songs inspired by A Christmas Carol. Junior Hana DeSilva reflected on her experiences performing at this event over the years: “I think events like these are important for the community because they bring us all together and give us hope and happiness. Whatever is going on in the world, or in someone’s personal life, is put aside so everyone can have fun!”
Junior David Aragona shared why he thinks this is such an important event: “I think so many people come out for this event because it is a great chance to get the community together. It is fun and gives people a chance to celebrate the holidays in a special way.”
The event ended with the tree fully lit and families finishing activities around the town center. The tree lighting, photo booth with Santa, and performances helped kick off the holiday season in Lynbrook. Each year, the tree lighting serves as the beginning of many more events Lynbrook hosts, such as breakfast with Santa and firetruck Christmas rides. The town now heads into the holiday season with the tree lights shining and the holidays officially under way.
