Tarrytown Recreation Department Supervisor Joe Arduino officiated at the lighting ceremony in front of a crowd that began arriving 40 minutes before the switch was flipped on the evergreen full of blue lights.
"We'll get a big crowd," Arduino said. "And we'll have music out here before the tree is lit with the Tappan Zee Bridgemen (brass quartet) then a guest in a red suit will arrive. It's a perfect night for the lighting -- a little snow would be nice."
The Tappan Zee Bridgemen played several holiday tunes, the tree was lighted just after 5 p.m. and then Santa Claus arrived on a Tarrytown fire truck to the delight of the children and the adults in the park.
"It's a very nice event for the village," Melanie Stewart said. "I live in White Plains but I came here the last two years with my children."
Once Santa has arrived, he led the crowd to the Tarrytown Library for refreshments and more music.
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