Park Slope tree lighting encourages shopping local: 'Support small businesses'

PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (PIX11) – Now that turkey time is behind us, it’s time to pull out the Christmas ornaments and think about the next holiday.

One traditional tree lighting in Brooklyn always emphasizes shopping locally in Park Slope.

It’s the 15th annual holiday tree lighting in Park Slope on Fifth Avenue and 4th Street.

This homegrown community street party grows bigger and bigger each year.  

Long lines were at this free, family-friendly event for Mexican hot chocolate by Chela or churros by Simple Loaf Bakehouse.

The Bubbles are courtesy of bubble dad Chris Catanese.

“It’s just really a matter of harnessing them,” Catanese, aka Mr. Bubble, told PIX11 News. “This is really just a towel and a leaf blower,” he added.

There was also a photo opp with Santa and his elves. One little girl asked Santa for Barbie Coloring, and Santa, aka Mickey Heller, told her, “Only if she is as nice as Magee Hickey, ho ho ho,” he said with a laugh.

The Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District hosts this street party each year to coincide with Small Business Saturday.

“Support small businesses,” Joanna Tallantire, the Park Slope Business Improvement District Executive Director, told PIX11 News. “They are supportive of a lot of our communities, our schools, our sports teams. They have unique products and great customer service, too,” she added.

There were the usual requests for certain toys from Santa, but some adults also had more thoughtful wishes.

“I wish this holiday season could bring people a little more together,” Christie Megill, a Park Slope mother, told PIX11 News. “I hope people get kinder, closer, share more a little goodwill everyday,” she added.