No. 57: Attend the Village Tree Lighting on Dec. 2

The is on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

The tree lighting is sponsored each year by the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society and includes holiday music from student singers in the Farmingdale School District, the South Shore Brass Ensemble, refreshments and more.

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 at the ceremony last year. It wasn't until 1989 that Farmingdale had its first holiday tree lighting.

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 is also present at the village green ceremony each year.

Many residents and government officials attend the ceremony. This year's tree lighting was originally scheduled for Nov. 29, but was postponed due to predicted inclement weather.

"This is a wonderful event to kick off the holiday season," said Deputy Mayor Patricia Christiansen.

Will you attend? Tell us in the comments.