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The Islip Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for this year’s holiday parade and Christmas tree lighting in the hamlet.
The festivities start Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m.
The parade steps off at Ocean Avenue and runs along Main Street to Islip Town Hall.
This is the second year the parade has been moved to after dark, which was done to better accommodate businesses by not having to close Main Street during the day, said the chamber’s president, Doris Kennedy of Kennedy L.I. Realty Inc. of Bay Shore.
“Saturdays are the busiest days for our merchants, so shutting down Main Street for the parade became a hardship for some shops, especially during the holiday shopping season,” Kennedy said. “Now, these store owners can handle business by day, and participate in the parade with vehicles and floats at night.”
“So in addition to addressing the concerns from our business, we were able to add some new energy and excitement to the actual parade,” she added.
For those who haven’t been, Kennedy said this is a “fabulous” night in Islip.
A trophy will be presented to the best lit float, as well as another trophy for the best lit fire department.
The night ends with the Christmas tree lighting at the Veterans Memorial Park, where students from Islip elementary schools will be singing Christmas carols
Below is a link to the chamber’s holiday parade application:
