Bayside Hills Civic to Host 15th Annual Holiday Festival

The Bayside Hills Civic Association will light up northeast Queens this weekend with its 15th annual holiday lights ceremony, which is expected to draw hundreds of borough residents and community leaders.

The festival will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday along Bell Boulevard at 53rd Avenue in Bayside.  

"We've done the festival every year for the past 15 years," said Michael Feiner, president of the civic. "We try to make it bigger and better every year."

The group began lighting its menorah earlier in the week and plans to light its Christmas tree at the event. A choir will sing Hanukkah songs and Christmas carols.

Feiner said he expects the ceremony to draw more than 100 people.

"Last year, the weather was horrendous but we had one of our best turnouts," he said. "I'd bet ours is the biggest holiday event in northeast Queens."

Songs at the event will be performed by the Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish Choir and The Chimentis, while Santa Claus will hand out candy canes.

Elected officials who have been invited to the holiday festival include U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Forest Hills, state Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Bellerose, state Senator-elect Tony Avella, state Assemblyman David Weprin, D-Little Neck and Council members Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, and Mark Weprin, D-Oakland Gardens.

Members of Community Board 11, including Chairman Jerry Iannece, the 111th Precinct and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will also be in attendance.

Full details on the ceremony can be found on the civic's Facebook page.

The Douglaston Village Chamber of Commerce will hold its own holiday lighting on Dec. 11 at Douglaston Market. For more information, visit the chamber's website.