Twinkling lights shine in Dyker Heights for Christmas

Santa made yet another stop before Christmas, this time in Dyker Heights for the neighborhood’s annual tree-lighting.

The event, hosted jointly by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the 13th Avenue Merchants Association, took place on Friday, December 11. The festivities kicked off at 6 p.m. on 13th Avenue between 74th Street and Bay Ridge Parkway, near the future location of Investors Bank, which paid for holiday lights on the strip this year.

The evening was graced with caroling and Christmas music for guests to enjoy. Among the dignitaries present were Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Councilmember Vincent Gentile; State Senator Marty Golden, and Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann.

“It was great,” recalled Dominick Sarta, president of the 13th Avenue Merchants Association. “There were about 80 to 100 people who came out.” Santa Claus made his much anticipated arrival and Sarta recalled that the kids in attendance grew excited as Santa handed out candy canes. He also noted that hot chocolate, donated by local café and restaurant Jimmy’s Place, was provided to all the guests.

“The 13th Avenue Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a wonderful tradition that gets local residents in the holiday spirit, drives visitors to the community and beautifies the neighborhood,” remarked Scissura. “Dyker Heights is famous for its world-class holiday light displays, and the Brooklyn Chamber is proud to add to that legacy with this event.” Scissura further thanked Investors Bank for “generously funding the holiday lights along the 13th Avenue commercial corridor, which added to the neighborhood’s already festive atmosphere.”