Christmas Tree Lighting "Spectacular" in Huntington

By Ishan Shah

Hundreds of local residents braved the bitter cold and an icy north wind to celebrate the annual Huntington Christmas Parade and  Downtown Tree Lighting - dubbed the "Holiday Spectacular" - last weekend.

Downtown Huntington was filled with the sounds of fire engine sirens and even a visit by Santa Claws, as the Parade wended down New York Avenue and then turned left onto Main Street.

This year, Comedian Joe Gatto – famously known for being a part of the famous “Impractical Jokers” cast - played a pivotal role in commencing the evening's events.

Parade viewers also experienced the “The Satin Dollz” as they performed live.

The Holiday Spectacular was almost terminated after the COVID pandemic.  The Town wanted to "move" the event to cold and isolated Heckscher Park in 2022 - claiming lack of funding - but Huntington Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino "saved the day" and helped raise additional funding to keep the tree lighting in downtown.

In a pedestrian-only block of Wall Street, festooned as a "Winter Wonderland" of lights and Candy Canes and Reindeer is the 80-foot Christmas Tree decorated with hundreds of dazzling holiday spirit decorations.

The downtown celebration will run through January 2nd.

The Huntington Village Business Improvement District (BID) organized this year's event, with the help of Huntington’s Northwell Hospital.

The fire departments from various stations across Suffolk County competed in a “holiday contest”  -- where residents would choose which truck was the best decorated.

Some of the elected officials spotted in the crowd were Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi; State Assembly members Steve Stern, and Keith Brown; and Huntington Town Council members Dr. Dave Bennardo and Brooke Lupinacci.

Come downtown to savor a hot chocolate, grab a sumptuous meal, shop in the quaint stores - and enjoy the charming Huntington downtown in all its holiday glory.