AROUND TOWN
Lighting it up!
Tompkins Square Park celebrates
30th anniversary tree lighting
BY DEAN MOSES
The East Village community came
together Dec. 12 in a holiday
tradition that has lasted 30 years.
Although Tompkins Square Park’s
Christmas tree had already been lit
a few days prior, it didn’t stop local
residents from celebrating the lighting,
as they have done for three decades.
The tree used for the lighting was
planted by Albert Fabozzi in memory
of his late partner, Glen Barnett who
passed away from AIDS. Since then,
the memory of his beloved boyfriend
has been kept alive each year with a
festive spectacle that draws in families
for a night of storytelling and song.
“It just blossomed,” Fabozzi told
amNewYork Metro, explaining the
journey from seedling to Christmas
pilgrimage. “It started out as a way to
reclaim the park. And we saw that it
was very, very appealing every year it
kept getting bigger, bigger and bigger.
So, it became a tradition.”
Even decades later, Fabozzi
becomes emotional when he thinks
of his partner and the tree. But as
much sorrow as it holds, it also
encapsulates joy for the about 100
attendees who gathered in the park on
Dec. 14. Huddled together children
chugged hot chocolate and chomped
on marshmallows as an ensemble of
Christmas carolers bellowed seasonal
classics.
Known as the Actors Theatre for
the New City, the group spent over
an hour entrancing onlookers with
classic songs such as, “We wish you
a Merry Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad,”
and even recited “’Twas The Night
Before Christmas.” Parents embraced
their children while others snuggled
with their pets as the night drew in.
The performance commenced with
the carolers wrapping their arms with
the enraptured children and dancing
in a circle singing, “Rock around the
Christmas tree.”
Then before attendees jointly
counted down for the symbolic
lighting, a free raffl e was distributed
with gift cards from the Gap.
For Fabozzi, who founded the event
and even hired his own electrician to
ensure the tree was lit, he says the
holiday get-together is a big part of
his life, one that he hopes will stay a
tradition for as long as possible.
“It’s wonderful and emotional at
the same time. And I hope that it will
continue after I’m gone,” Fabozzi said.
PHOTOS BY DEAN MOSES
Tompkins Square Park celebrated its 30th tree lighting with live music.
Drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate to keep the cold at bay. The Mandel
and Lyndon Trio performed live music at the event. Albert Fabozzi (above
left) was happy to see the event continue this year.
Schneps Media December 16, 2021 19