BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO
Children of all ages ushered in the holiday season with a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony held at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale on Friday evening.
Families gathered on the shopping center’s lawn, singing Christmas carols along with the Martin Luther High School Choir and the P.S. 150 chorus. Congresswoman Grace Meng joined City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley in welcoming the holiday revelers.
Crowley and LIC Flea and Food founder Joshua Schneps welcomed the star of the show, Santa Claus, to the stage to a wave of applause and cheers. Jolly Old Saint Nick led the crowd in a special countdown to the official tree lighting.
Guests were invited to continue the holiday festivities at a special night market hosted by Schneps and the LIC Food and Flea’s Queens Night Market, located above T.J. Maxx. The market featured photo ops for children with Santa, as well as $2 pints of locally brewed beer from the market’s all-Queens beer garden for adults.
The Queens Holiday Market will run every weekend until Christmas, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located on the second floor above Toys R Us and Payless.
