Maybrook residents gathered in Veterans Memorial Park last Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m. to uphold a longtime tradition: the village’s annual tree-lighting event. Despite facing frigid temperatures, everyone was ecstatic to celebrate the holidays with some sweets, music, and Old Saint Nicholas himself.

Musician Kevin Cronin opened the evening with a few festive songs, hyping the audience with his singing and guitar-playing talent. Singer Pam Murphy followed Cronin’s act with a few more songs, inviting several children on stage to shake up a symphony with jingle bells. After Murphy finished, the Maybrook Troop 236 Scout Band marched into the park and performed a holiday melody, delighting ears with the chimes of bell lyres.

Around 6:55 p.m., the park erupted in cheers and excitement as the Maybrook Fire Department rode a special guest onto the site: Santa Claus, who happily greeted children swarming around him. Once settled, Santa commenced the tree-lighting, directing the crowd to the park’s 40-foot pine tree, nestled between two others of similar length. After a quick countdown, the tree burst into color, illuminating the park and attendees’ spirits.

Following the tree-lighting, residents retreated to the village’s senior center to warm, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, listen to the Maybrook Wind Ensemble, take family photos, and chat with Santa. Overall, everyone was thrilled with Sunday’s celebration; Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy was especially pleased, and said he and the board look forward to hosting even more holiday events for years to come.

“It went very well, and we like adding things every year to give the kids something new,” Leahy said.

Looking for more holiday fun? The village will host a wind ensemble concert on Thursday, December 12 at 7 p.m. and a screening of “The Polar Express” on Wednesday, December 18 at 5 p.m., both in the Maybrook Senior Center.