Glen Cove to Celebrate Christmas in August

It's Christmas in August: Glen Cove is set to open a breeding ground for the City’s future marquee Christmas Trees and the public is invited to attend the pre-holiday gathering on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Five trees will be planted for the start of Glen Cove’s Christmas Tree Farm. These trees came from the City’s first Merry Tree Festival in 2015 where local businesses sponsored and decorated “living” Christmas trees that had over 25 trees featured. The remaining trees were planted in local parks and City facilities as part of Glen Cove’s beautification program.

“We appreciated the support of our local businesses for our inaugural Merry Tree Festival as their commitment created an outstanding holiday attraction for our downtown and provided us with an opportunity to plant new trees throughout the City,” Mayor Reggie Spinello said in a press release.

The celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. at the farm, located at Dennis Brian Murray Park on Leech Circle South.

The idea for Glen Cove’s Christmas Tree Farm was sparked from a conversation with Francine Koehler of the Glen Cove B.I.D.

"Francine’s wish was for the City to find a suitable location to start growing our own Christmas trees, and as we are in the holiday spirit, I am happy to say that her wish has been granted.,” Spinello said.

Calling All Tree Owners

The City is also in search of the perfect evergreen tree to be the centerpiece of Glen Cove’s annual downtown holiday celebration. Residents have the opportunity to donate an evergreen, spruce, fir or pine tree from their property to receive special recognition for their generosity during the City’s tree lighting festivities on Nov. 29.

The City is looking for trees that are fully symmetrical, about 25 to 30 feet tall and easily accessible for removal.

Last year, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Glen Cove donated their tree.

Anyone interested in donating a tree can call Glen Cove’s Department of Public Works at (516) 676-4402 to schedule an appointment for a tree assessment by the DPW team.

The event is sponsored by the Glen Cove B.I.D. and the Glen Cove’s Department of Public Works will handle the final selection, harvesting, removal and delivery of the holiday tree to downtown Glen Cove for free.

Merry Tree Festival 2016

The City is also kicking off their sponsorship drive for Glen Cove’s 2016 Merry Tree Festival. Local businesses and organizations are able to sponsor “living” holiday trees that will line the streets of Glen Bridge and School Streets in late November and December. Each tree would be creatively decorated by the sponsors and would bear a star that features the company's name or logo.

Tree sponsorships are available for $350 and if a company would like a local community group to decorate their tree, there is an additional $50 charge for the cost of decorations. For more information contact the Mayor Spinello’s office at (516) 676-2004.

Photo Credit: Tab Hauser