The Town of Smithtown held the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 at Town Hall. The community based event is organized by the Department of Recreation, with support from the Parks Department and Public Safety. The tree is illuminated by the Department of Traffic Safety. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was John Zollo (former Town Attorney) with live music provided by local DJ, Just For the Record. The Smithtown Fire Department delivered Santa from the North Pole just shortly after 6PM.
“This was an outstanding and much needed event to get Smithtown in the holiday spirit, and you could feel the energy in the crowd! Last year we went virtual with Santa and held a very small tree lighting ceremony. So it was great to see everyone together again... I want to commend the talented young people who performed, and send my gratitude to the Department of Recreation for making this ceremony so extraordinary. Thank you to the Parks Department who worked around the clock to set up and breakdown the stage and equipment, as well as our Department of Public Safety who kept everyone safe and guided the Fire Trucks to Town Hall. I think I was just as excited to see Santa as the kids were this year!” - Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
This year's live performances, from local school districts, were conducted by the Smithtown High School West Whisperettes (Junior Varsity and Varsity) Kickline, the Hauppauge Varsity Kickline, the Smithtown High School West Jazz Choir, the Great Hollow Middle School Chorus, and the Accompsett Middle School Chorus. Each group performed Christmas favorites for a crowd of approximately 250 people.
The Recreation Department served cookies and hot chocolate, which was donated courtesy of Lessing's Hospitality Group. Balloon Sculpting was provided for kids of all ages by Animations. The Town of Smithtown collected a large box filled with non-perishable items for the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry during the event. Residents who wish to still make a donation to the Food Pantry may do so in person at their location: 90 Edgewater Avenue in the hamlet of Smithtown.
Sadly, Katie’s Food Truck was destroyed in a tragic fire just days before the ceremony and was unable to attend the celebration. A GoFundMe.com page has been created to help the local business restore its famous food truck. Katie’s of Smithtown is located at 145 W Main Street (just beneath the train trestle) in Smithtown, NY.
TOYS FOR TOTS DROP SITE:
Did you know, you can donate new, inexpensive toys to the US Marine’s Toys for Tots drop off site, located inside Town Hall (at the main entrance.) The collection will be picked up by the Marine Corps on December 17th, 2021. Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 9AM - 5PM (99 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY)