A wonderful, but very cold, Roosevelt Island Christmas Holiday Tree Lighting
Ceremony this evening at the Meditation Lawn with performances from the Main
Street Theatre & Dance Alliance kids, local Girl Scouts and Roosevelt Island
Youth Center.
The enthusiastic crowd, with the help of Roosevelt Island Public Safety
Department Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso chanted for Santa
Claus.
Then came the arrival of Santa Claus with Mrs Claus and the countdown to the
Lighting of the Roosevelt Island Christmas Holiday Tree began. 5,4, 3, 2, 1 - Lights On,
followed by Santa and the kids singing Jingle Bells.
(The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance performed a song from their upcoming Anastasia musical but I didn't get any video of it - Sorry)
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso greeted Santa Claus and Mrs Claus
followed by the Holiday Tree Lighting countdown.
First time host of the Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony Bryant Daniels did an excellent job and Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cuneen did a good job welcoming the community to the event.
RIOC President Shelton Haynes was not seen at the Holiday Tree Lighting.
Wonderful evening tonight at the Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree Lighting. The very large crowd of residents enjoyed musical and dance performances by the Main Street Theatre, Beacon Kids, Roosevelt Island Youth Center and local Girl Scouts.
And then, Santa Claus with a first time appearance by Mrs Claus counted down the lighting of the Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree.
5.. 4.. 3.. 2... 1 and then:
A big thank you to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for organizing this fantastic event.
The annual Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony takes place tomorrow at the Rivercross Lawn.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
'Tis the season to gather and ignite the holiday spirit! RIOC invites you to the 2023 Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting Ceremony this Friday, December 8th at 6PM on Meditation Lawn. There will be music, performances, festive treats, and more!
... install commercial grade LED lighting, wreaths, decorative structures
and garland for selected trees, hedges, building columns, lampposts, and
other areas on Roosevelt Island as outlined below: Decoration
locations:
Good Shepherd Plaza
Meditation Lawn across from Blackwell House (the Main Tree location)
Tram Plaza and Tram Fountain area
Main Street Corridor including Lamppost along Main street
Ferry Plaza...
Bundle up in warm clothes and I'll see you tomorrow for a good time at the Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree Lighting.
It was a perfect evening tonight for the Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting
Ceremony. The temperature was cold, but not uncomfortable, and the hundreds of
Roosevelt Island residents who came out enjoyed the music, hot chocolate and
good cheer while waiting for the arrival of Santa Claus and the Tree Lighting.
Some of our local Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts were on stage to welcome Santa
Claus to Roosevelt Island and joined with Bruce Springsteen and the crowd of
residents asking who's been naughty or nice.
And then came the countdown for the Tree Lighting.
It is officially the most beautiful time of year! Please join President
& CEO Shelton J. Haynes for Roosevelt Island’s Annual Tree Lighting
Ceremony happening on Friday, December 2, 2022. The festivities will take
place on the Meditation Lawn (501 Main Street).
It will be a magical evening with performances from the community, festive
giveaways, holiday treats, and much more.
Bring your family, friends, and loved ones for a night to remember.
... install commercial grade LED lighting, wreaths, decorative structures
and garland for selected trees, hedges, building columns, lampposts, and
other areas on Roosevelt Island as outlined below: Decoration
locations:
Good Shepherd Plaza
Meditation Lawn across from Blackwell House (the Main Tree location)
Tram Plaza and Tram Fountain area
Main Street Corridor including Lamppost along Main street
Ferry Plaza
Here's the 2022 Roosevelt Island Main Street Christmas/Holiday decorations,
Riverwalk Commons Seasons Greeting Lights, which have been not been on this week,
It was a chilly evening last night on the Roosevelt Island Holiday Trail
organized by RIOC. Fortunately, the cold weather and frozen fingers did not
stop anyone from enjoying themselves and having a good time particularly when
listening to the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance singing Holiday
Christmas songs in Good Shepherd Plaza.
or visiting
the various
local community
groups stationed
along the Holiday Trail
Watch for the lighting of the Roosevelt Island Holiday Christmas Tree.
Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) President Andrea Jackson reports:
The " Holiday Village " event is a wonderful blend of Community
Organizations, Businesses, Vendors, and residents,
bringing together a host of festivities and a resounding atmosphere of the Holiday
season. The event begins December 3, 2021, through December 5, 2021, from 10 AM - 6:30
PM at Good Shepherd Plaza.
Featuring Live Jazz, unique gifts, refreshments, Santa's Chairs,
attractions for the entire family, and much more. Come by share in the fun and contribute to our
Toy, sock, hat, and glove drive for the "Samaritan Village"
Family Shelter. For more information email riseniorsa@gmail.com. Admission is Free, Social distancing,
mask-wearing, and compliances are enforced.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! You may have spotted decorative
garland, twinkle lights, a sleigh, giant gift boxes, and more as Roosevelt
Island has entered the holiday season. To celebrate the season, since we’re
unable to return to full holiday activities at this time, we hope you’ll
join us for the Roosevelt Island Holiday Trail on Friday, December 3rd, from
5 PM – 7 PM!
The Roosevelt Island Holiday Trail is a festive and fun collection of stops
where RIOC, in partnership with community groups, businesses, and partners
will offer holiday-themed music, treats, information, and more!
The Holiday Trail will take revelers to various island locations, from the
NYC Ferry landing to the RISA Holiday Village at Good Shepherd Plaza (543
Main St.). This scaled-down free event will be a festive day of fun and a
chance for all to show off your ugliest Christmas sweaters or best holiday
regalia, as the tree will be turned on at 7 PM on the Meditation
Lawn.
We hope you can come out and celebrate the holiday spirit!
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Director of Community Relations Erica Spencer-El and President Susan Rosenthal did a pretty good job as Co-Hosts of the event too.
Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him....
At the Howe Theatre in the R.I. Cultural Center 548 Main Street.
Estimates of approximately 450 - 500 people attended this evening's Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Rivercross lawn. It was a wonderful evening.
Here's a small sammple - the arrival of Santa Claus and counting down to the Tree Lighting starting.
Click on the full screen icon at bottom right of video for better view.
Come join RIOC and the entire Roosevelt Island community at the island’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 6th, 7 PM at the lawn south of Rivercross.
Island residents will be able to enjoy a night of holiday music and celebration, featuring The Funktion band, island community performers, hot beverages, warm cookies, raffle prizes, goodie bags and maybe even a visit from a special guest from the North Pole!
Also, don't miss the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Carolers at the subway station tomorrow evening and later at the Tree Lighting ceremony.
Thanksgiving has yet to arrive but the Roosevelt Island Holiday Lights were on display lit up this evening with the Reindeer sled at Good Shepherd Plaza
Street lamp garlands on Main Street
and Riverwalk Commons,
Reindeer next to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Center Kiosk
Holiday ornament balls at Tram Plaza
and the Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas tree on the Rivercross Lawn which will be lit Friday, December 6
REMINDER: Come join the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Fri. 12/6 @ 7PM @ the lawn south of Rivercross. Enjoy a night of holiday music & celebration, featuring The Funktion band, island performers, hot beverages, prizes, & maybe even a visit from a guest from the North Pole! pic.twitter.com/bCHMkWHI6f
A Roosevelt Island Southtown resident had this to say about Riverwalk Commons decorations in a message to RIOC last week:
... The Commons During Christmas Season: Prior decorations have not been well-received and, quite frankly introduced unacceptable hazards, due to a lack of being well maintained, and arguable aesthetics. Dangerous electrical lines and decorations that had fallen or pulled to the ground made for a dangerous situation for residents and visitors. Who would be liable were a child was injured?We do not want "enter at your own risk" situations....
As reported in 2017, RIOC and Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related agreed to:
... create a joint marketing campaign to draw pedestrian traffic to the Island’s Main Street. The campaign will install holiday decorations for the winter holiday season throughout Roosevelt Island to attract more shoppers to the Island retail establishments. Various proposals were considered, and it was agreed that HRR would hire Neave Décor (“Neave”), a prominent decoration company, to bring a “winter wonderland” experience to Roosevelt Island, for the holiday season. This experience would include various decorations such as tree lights, snowflake lights, rain deer, stars etc. though out the Main Street retail corridor, the transportation hub and the Good Shepherd plaza, among other areas.
Neave agreed to enter into a three-year contract with HRR at a reduced price of slightly less than $75,000 per year. HRR would be responsible for one-third of the expenses (i.e. $25,000 per year) associated with this project. RIOC would be responsible for the remaining portion and issue HRR a $50,000 credit on the MSA fees for each of the three years. If possible, RIOC will endeavor to solicit contributions towards its share from other stakeholders on the Island....
It's that time again for a wonderful Roosevelt Island tradition - the lighting of the Holiday/Christmas Tree tomorrow night, Friday November 30. As was the case last year,
the Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting will take place on the Rivercross Lawn, while Blackwell House is still under renovation.
... you're invited to attend Roosevelt Island's most whimsical event of the year - Our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - Friday, November 30 at 7 p.m. at the Lawn South of Rivercross, 501 Main Street.
Live music by the Hotelheads band, Christmas caroling, free gifts, raffle prizes and more including a very special visit by (shhhh!) Santa; (free pictures with him as well).
Come early, stay late, it's going to be a great party!
Special thanks to all of our generous contributors including Verizon, Amalgamated Bank, The Cafe' at Cornell Tech, Hudson Related, Urban American, Piccolo Trattoria, Island Wine and Spirits, The Wholesome Factory, The R.I. Navigators, Sylvain Coulon Hypnotherapy, Starbucks, Island Kids, Roosevelt Nails, Bread & Butter Market and Bubble Cool.
Here's a sneak peek at the lit Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas Tree.
Also, a group of Carolers from the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance, together with members from the Hope Church, will greet Roosevelt Island commuters coming home at the Tram (5:30 PM) and F Train Subway Station (6:15 PM).
Take a look at a few of the displays all lit up, the Reindeer Sled at Good Shepherd Plaza, Giant Ornament Balls at Tram Plaza Fountain, Colorful trees and Star at Riverwalk Commons and Holiday/Christmas Tree at Riverwalk Lawn.
The winter holidays at Roosevelt Island are special. Decorations are up, and the Island is looking festive.
The season offers us time for reflection and perspective. It lets the light of our good deeds shine. We look forward to warm reunions with old family and new friends. The true spirit of the season can best be seen in our children’s faces who reflect the wonder and excitement of anticipation. A special guest is coming to Roosevelt Island again this year and what’s he going to bring?
The Island’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Friday, November 30 at 7 p.m. at the lawn south of Rivercross. Island residents are invited to join us for a night of holiday music and caroling - featuring a variety of community organizations - a live band, hot beverages, warm cookies, raffle prizes and goodie bags.
Each year, are spirits our heartened and delighted by the generous contributions our local businesses and organizations make toward this event. Can we count on you again this year?
Please see the attached form to learn how you can contribute. The deadline to participate is Wednesday, November 21.
... Examples: coffee, hot chocolate, cider, cookies, restaurant or other voucher certificates and cards, gift baskets, or other suggested items to be used in event raffle.
If you have any questions regarding the event or what contributions are needed, please contact Jessica Murray at 212-832-4540 or via email at jessica.murray@rioc.ny.gov....
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
