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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. Hot chocolate-toting residents took over New Castle on Saturday night as hundreds gathered outside the Horace Greeley House to witness the lighting of the towns holiday tree.
Before shutting down Senter Street, residents joined The Chappaqua Orchestra in singing holiday classics in a Community Sing at Robert E. Bell Middle School. The orchestra, led by director and composer Michael Shapiro, performed their renditions of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Sleigh Ride, My Dreidel, and more.
This has become a community event now, said Shapiro. This is our third or fourth time weve done it and its just a great thing to know that the more we put into our community the more we get back.
Following the performance, Shapiro and Horace Greeley High Schools Madrigal Choir led a grand procession down Senter Street, as the group of residents marched from Bell to the Horace Greeley House for the tree lighting.
When the tree finally lit up shortly after 5 p.m., Santa appeared with a bag full of treats for the children of New Castle. Children also had the opportunity to meet and have their picture taken with Rudolph and Frosty across the street at the Community Center.
As part of Shop New Castle, Shapiro convinced many shops on South Greeley Avenue and King Street to stay open late on Saturday in an effort to encourage residents to stay local for their holiday gift shopping.
Their generous support helps bring these programs to life, said Shapiro. I dont want to know that youre going to Bloomingdales for this stuff, folks.
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