The Skillman Holiday Lights in 2016 (Photo: Queens Post)
Nov. 30, 2019 By Kristen Torres (UPDATED)
Sunnyside will be holding a celebration on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 7 to mark the unveiling of holiday lights on Skillman and 43rd Avenues. The event was initially scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2 but has been postponed due to poor weather.
The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with the Skillman Project to bring festive holiday lights to Skillman Avenue and 43rd Avenue for the first time.
This is the first year that 43rd Avenue will have holiday lights. They were introduced to Skillman Avenue in 2010.
“We are proud to come together — residents, businesses, organizations — to bring joy to our children, and so pleased to include 43rd Avenue for the first time this year,” said Vanessa Ceballos, president of Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and owner of Firefly on 43rd Avenue.
The celebration Monday to mark the occasion will include a number of activities in what’s being referred to as the Winter Lights Festival.
Festivities will begin Saturday in front of the Food Universe Marketplace on the corner of 43rd Avenue and 44th Street at 5 p.m., with a small tree lighting in front of the supermarket. Holiday lights went up on 43rd Avenue earlier this month and go between 40th and 46th streets.
A performer on stilts will lead the crowd to the second part of the festival — at Skillman Avenue and 48th Street — around 6 p.m. for the main tree lighting ceremony in the courtyard of Sunnyside Reformed Church.
The holiday lights on Skillman Avenue are also up–between 41st and 52nd streets.
Refreshments, such as hot chocolate, will be available for attendees at both locations. Firefly and Aubergine will provide refreshments at both locations.
Attendees will have the chance to take photos with Santa and enjoy live entertainment, such as kid bands from Queens Music Academy and other local musicians. Roque Rodriguez of Sunnyside Yoga will be the emcee at both venues.
Guests can also participate in more than 50 raffle prizes from local businesses, including gift certificates, a widescreen TV and free yoga classes.
The raffles will help cover the cost of the lights. The lights cost about $26,500 and are being paid for by businesses, residents and community groups. About $16,500 has been raised so far.
2014 Festival (Photo: Pat Dorfman)
SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 7
> First location: 44th Street & 43rd Ave., corner of Food Universe
> 5 p.m.: Roque emcee and carols on PA system, refreshments
> 5:30 p.m.: Lighting of small tree
> 5:45 p.m.: Carolers led by stilts artist to Skillman & 48th St. to second location
> Second location: 48th Street Skillman Ave location, corner of Sunnyside Reformed Church
> 6 p.m.: Kid bands from Queens Music Academy, refreshments
> 6:30 p.m.: One song by classical singer Julie Borst
> 6:40 p.m.: Lighting of big tree
> 6:45 p.m.: Santa due from North Pole
> Music program continues
> Song by Cathy Maguire, Irish country singer
> Three songs by Adriana Nunez
> Drummer Axel Barragon
> Three songs in Español
> 7 p.m.: Raffle drawing to begin and continue between musical sets.
> 8 p.m.: After party at The Globe
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20 Comments
$26500 for those less than festive lights?? The lights on QB are pretty but not indicative of Christmas more like PC lights.
Two words: Batty Patty.
The lights on 43rd Avenue were not up in time for the Monday event, with the install starting on Tuesday. It seems the delay for this was a little bit of snow and a whole lotta bit the chamber’s famous incompetence. Perhaps it’s time to cede this service to the BID too? They’re a professional outfit doing a great job with the plazas, the restaurant week (including Skillman eateries), summer movie nights, holiday discounts, community surveys, marketing, and oh yeah, their holiday lights have been up for weeks. Would love to see some reporting about the chamber’s precipitous decline over the last few years. It has really gotten dire.
the chamber said they were funding lights on 43rd avenue, i don’t see any lights there? why were these businesses left out?
Now I can come. Yay.
Postponed for 2 inches of snow?
Tree of Liberty – The “tree” is actually of pagan origin. How do you like that?
Patrick – You didn’t read the article, of course. At the time of the article, it was scheduled for Monday, which is December 2nd.
Sunday Dec. 1st, or Monday working/commuting time 2nd? Lets do it on Monday.
What about the bike lanes??
@Tree of Liberty- The tree that will be getting lit will be just like the Christmas Tree found in the Bible.
Did this get moved to Sat Dec 7? Just got a notification on Facebook for the event then.
Looks like they’ll need a rain/snow date.
I live on 43d st. and I don’t see any lights. Fake news.
Why is it starting so early. I guess nobody in Sunnyside works. I want to see El loco there. He is Mr. Sunnyside!
Is there a rain date?
I’m not telling you
Will that be a Christmas tree they will be lighting. They just mention a tree.
What if the weather is bad?
I don’t get home from work until 6:30 pm. Can the program be delayed? Please.