Santa Comes to Christmas Tree Lighting

As the wind and rain gained force, everyone gathered in the lobby of City Hall to wait for Santa. A distant bell was heard, and then the bellringer, Santa himself, appeared on the stairs.

Once back outside, Alfred Bevier of the City of Newburgh Department of Public Works helped Santa light the tree.

City of Newburgh Police then escorted everyone across the street to the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum at 94 Broadway.

Inside the Karpeles Museum the Salvation Army Band welcomed the group with Christmas Carols, and Museum Director Lisa Price, and staff, former Mayor and Associate Director Don Presutti, and Dennis Wepman, Curator of Art, warmed them up with hot chocolate and cookies. Santa brought toys and gifts including some donated by the Ruf family and other community members, and books courtesy of the Friends of the Newburgh Free Library.

"Even though the weather did not cooperate, everyone had a wonderful time," said Deputy Mayor Regina Angelo, who has coordinated the Broadway tree lighting for nearly 25 years. "I want to thank everyone who helped make this day special, including the City of Newburgh Department of Public Works, the Karpeles Museum, the Friends of the Newburgh Free Library, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Petrillo family who donated our beautiful tree, Quality Towing and Autobody, and all the other "elves" who helped Santa bring Christmas to Broadway."