Poughkeepsie rejoices as Celebration of Lights returns
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. » The city's Celebration of Lights holiday tree lighting and fireworks extravaganza returned Friday night, Dec. 5, drawing a crowd that lined the streets for the length of the parade.
Last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic. The city teamed up with several groups, including the Poughkeepsie River District Business Association, for its resumption.
The event began with a tree lighting at Mural Square Park near Main and Market streets, followed by a parade down Main Street. It ended at Dongan Square Park, where Mayor Rob Rolison and Santa Claus lit the second tree as the night sky was brightened by a fireworks display. The business association financed the pyrotechnics.
Mike Reed, owner of Noah's Ark, across from Dongan Square, is a longtime member of the group. He was pleased with the turnout.
“This city has suffered through a pandemic and this celebration brought people out for a great event,” he said. “Given tonight's turnout, I think we are rebounding, which is good news for the city and the business district members.”
The celebration included Karen Scivolette-Johnson singing festive holiday songs as the crowd at Dongan Square awaited Santa. As the Poughkeepsie Fire Department arrived with Santa in TowerLadder 2, Rolison was there to help the jolly elf to the podium to lead the crowd in a countdown to lighting the tree.
“Poughkeepsie really needed this celebration,” he said. “We have been through a lot over the last two years.”
The mayor added that, for safety reasons, the parade had more floats from community partners and fewer marchers. “The parade has grown tremendously and I couldn't be happier,” he said. “The community turned out and our city workers, including DPW, fire department, police, and everyone else did an amazing job to make this a huge success.”