Village of Farmingdale Celebrates History, Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting

Cold weather and rumored rain storms didn't keep the community away from the 22nd annual Farmingdale Village Tri-Centennial Tree Lighting on Nov. 30.

The celebration was sponsored by the Farmingdale Public School District and the Bethpage-Farmingdale Historical Society, who provided warm refreshments for guests after the ceremony concluded. 

Residents gathered in the decorated Village Green which was filled with the sounds of holiday music courtesy of WCBS 101.1 radio station and live performances. The station also hosted a game station for guests to win prizes.

Fourth and fifth grade Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School students performed popular holiday songs like Winter Wonderland and Light the Night. The school chorus teacher, Joan Drewes, conducted the performance.

"I am very impressed, they work incredibly hard," Drewes said. "They inspire me." The South Shore brass ensemble band alternated with the young performers.

Before lighting the tree, Mayor George Starkie thanked the beatification committee for decorating the town in preparation for the event and pointed out that decorating the town for the holiday season takes up to 120 hours, time donated entirely by local volunteers.

"It helps the budget, keeps the town looking festive and it doesn't cost the taxpayers any money," he said.

Although Village Mayor George Starkie owns the Farmingdale-based Starkie Brothers Garden Center, he doesn't donate the town tree.

"It is a live tree, planted many years ago. Recently it has been in bad health but with my gardening knowledge we are nursing it back to health slowly," Mayor Starkie said.

According to Farmingdale Historian William Johnston, the tree was purchased in 1987, the year Farmingdale began celebrating its first settlement.

"The Tri-Centennial celebrated this event year long. In 1987 some funds were left over so a Colorado Blue Spruce Tree was purchased to commemorate it," Johnston said. It wasn't until 1989 that Farmingdale has their first holiday lighting and despite that fact that the ceremony consists of lighting a tree, a symbol of Christmas, Johnston believes the event does not exclude non-Christian residents.

"It is more historic than a religious event. It is for everybody," he said. A menorah was also present at the Village Green ceremony this year.

Other members in attendance at the event included Nassau County Legislator Joseph Belesi, Village Trustee Bill Barrett, Oyster Bay Town Councilman Anthony Macagnone and former Farmingdale Mayor Joseph Trudden.

"It's always great and well attended," Mayor Starkie said. "It's a lot of fun and as we are redeveloping the green it is a pleasure and heart warming to see the park as it was always intended to be."

Deputy Mayor and Village Trustee, Patricia Christiansen agreed.

"This is a wonderful event to kick off the holiday season," she said. "It's very exciting."