Park Slope holds tree lighting on Small Business Saturday

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Park Slope.

Right after Thanksgiving, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District welcomed shoppers and browsers to the strip with a day of merriment that culminated in the lighting of the holiday tree in J.J. Byrne Park at Fourth Street.

Held on Saturday, November 25, Small Business Saturday, the event brought holiday cheer to attendees of all ages.

According to BID Executive Director Mark Caserta, the day was a huge success.

“This was the biggest year we had to date. The Fire Department estimated that we had 1,500 people at the event,” he said. “It was a good, fun, free event to kick off the holiday shopping season here on Fifth Avenue. We try to focus on the families and it’s become a great tradition. We change it up a little bit every year because we try to keep it interesting, but of course the focus is the tree lighting. Santa is always there. There were carolers at the event. It was just a lot of fun.”

The day included free cider, donuts and treats from local shops Down To Earth Markets, Bagel World, Buttermilk Bakeshop and Du Jour Bakery, live musical performances from Urban Choir Project and BK Women’s Songwriting Lab, kids’ holiday entertainment and crafts from Puppetry Arts and Bubbledad, strolling carolers from Opera on Tap, Santa Claus cruising the avenue in a vintage pink Cadillac, Frosty the Snowman, a cookie giveaway from Michel et Augustin and more.

“Bubbledad really kept the kids entertained as he did amazing giant bubbles,” Caserta said.

Caserta added in a statement that the event helps the local businesses. “The vitality of our small businesses is what makes Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue so special,  especially for the holidays when you’re searching for unique gifts for all the people in your life,” he said. “Our 520 small businesses have everything – classes ranging from kickboxing to painting, shops featuring fashion, home decor, jewelry, wine, specialty foods, baby clothes and toys and gifts for the whole family. Our tree lighting is the perfect way to kick off Small Business Saturday and the holiday season.”