Chamber Event Sparks Holiday Spirit

A thick fog hung in the air Monday night, but the annual tree lighting went on as planned, brightening the community and sparking holiday spirit.

Chamber President Laura Rogacki said the event is a way to give thanks to residents each year for keeping local businesses thriving.

"We do it to bring the community out during the holidays," Rogacki said. "It's a way to show the community that we appreciate all the hard work and all our small business owners."

Volunteers from the band and nearly all of the chorus came out to entertain the crowd of parents and children on the high school grounds with Christmas carols and holiday songs.

Kids cheered as Santa, atop a Bayport Fire Department truck, came rolling down Snedecor Avenue. They screamed and followed in a herd as he made his jolly way to the tree in front of the high school. There, Sanata lit the tree and took pictures with all the children, cracking jokes about the unusually warm, muggy weather.

"The holidays always bring out the best in everyone," Rogacki said with a twinkle in her eye and a big smile.