After saying that the Huntington Village Holiday Spectacular would be canceled this year, officials announced that the event is now a go. Citing concerns about costs and public safely, the village and the BID both decided that the holiday festival would be canceled.
That decision was reversed recently when Northwell Health played Santa Claus and offered to help defray costs, allowing the village to put on a safe, successful event.
In a joint statement about how the event became possible to stage again this year, Huntington Town Supervisor and Huntington Village BID President explained why they originally could not host the event.
“As this year approached, it was clear that the BID did not have the resources to support the tree and the other ancillary services needed to put on a safe, successful event. It also didn’t have time to reimagine a new event so late in the season.”
They went on to say that safety was their number one concern but costs also played a factor.
“One key issue for this year’s event being reimagined was not only the safety concerns but the costs involved in creating such an event. The crowning glory of the Holiday Spectacular was the magnificent 65ft, multi-media Christmas tree. It must be made clear that the tree is not owned by the BID or the Town…”
Northwell Health, the lead sponsor of the 2022 Huntington Village Holiday Spectacular, came to the rescue.
“However, since the plight of the Spectacular was made public, we have since heard from our lead sponsor, Northwell Health and they have committed to provide the additional funding needed to ensure that the Spectacular continues for 2022,” they said. “Northwell Health’s generosity will enable the BID and the Town to continue this highly anticipated event for the third consecutive year at its original location in Huntington Village/Wall Street. We are grateful to Northwell Health that we can continue the tradition!”
The officials said that safety is a prime concern for all Huntington Town events and they will continue to work with local fire officials and first responders on safeguards and precautions to ensure the Holiday Spectacular is safe one for all.
The Town of Huntington's 12th Annual Holiday Parade and Wall Street Tree Lighting in Huntington will take place on Saturday, November 26th, kicking off at 5pm.
The electric light parade starts at 5pm with the Wall Street tree lighting to follow. Santa Claus will also be there.
Free parking will be available in the municipal parking lots in Huntington Village, Huntington Town Hall, and John J. Flanagan Center. Free parking will also be available at the Huntington LIRR Train Station Church Street Parking Lot with a convenient free HART Bus shuttle into the village from 3-9pm.
The theme of the day is "The Huntington Express" supporting local merchants on Small Business Saturday during the day, and continuing with Long Island's Largest Electric Parade kicking off at 5pm ending with Santa's arrival at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, being held on Wall Street.
Parade - Huntington’s 12th Annual “Huntington Express” Holiday Parade, which draws between 5,000 and 10,000 people to downtown Huntington Village, will kick off at 5pm from the Big H Shopping Center on New York Avenue and will proceed north to Main Street and then west on Main Street to West Neck Road.
The parade will include competitions for the best floats in several categories, with judging based on how well they follow the theme of the parade, “Holiday Express”. The friendly competition among fire departments is particularly fierce, because the winning department gets to choose who will play Santa Claus in the 2023 parade! Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to participate.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - As the parade wraps up Saturday, November 26, visitors will walk over to Wall Street for Huntington’s Holiday Express where music will fill the park, adorned with lights and holiday decorations, as visitors await the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, followed by live entertainment and a chance for children to meet Santa.
Menorah Lighting - The Annual Menorah Lighting is scheduled for December 19, 2022 at 5pm