Hundreds watch Floral Park tree lighting

Angela Fogarty and her son, William, 3, never miss the Christmas tree lighting in Floral Park.

And this year, Fogarty's husband, Kevin Fogarty, captain of the Active Engine Company No. 3, brought Santa Claus on a fire truck to Friday’s annual Christmas tree lighting.

“I think it was a fantastic crowd,” said Marian Augustine, a co-president of the Junior Woman’s Club. "It was the biggest crowd in a while."

More than 300 Floral Park residents stood in the cold awaiting the tree lighting, including Barbara Stagnitta, whose daughter, Maria, sang “Carol of the Bells” along with the Christmas classic “Silent Night” with her high school chorus, Long Island Sound.

The group sang a select group of Christmas songs that had the crowd cheering.

"My daughter has been singing since she was 3 years old," Stagnitta said. "I've been coming here for 12 years."

Long Island Sound wasn't the only musical performance: The children’s chorus of Our Lady of Victory School sang “Silent Night“and “I'm Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas.”

The children also joined the Village Mayor Tom Tweedy on stage for the lighting of the tree.

The event concluded with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus handing out candy canes.

"It's a growing community," said Debbie Fenton, co-president of the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club. "It's a wonderful community event."