Quite the hoopla inside Prospect Park at Grand Army Plaza. Klieg lights, a marching band, Chirstmas choirs, and a duo of Brooklyn Philarmonic trumpeters playing a festive fanfare.

What for?

It was a a big celebration for the lighting of the lights. Paid for by
Mort Zuckerman of the New York Daily News, there are light installations at all the entrances to Prospect Park.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg
introduced a host of city officials, commissioners. Notable in his absence was Marty Markowitz.

The Mayor led a countdown and then Abigail, the daughter of Mort Zukerman, got to turn on the lights with him. Maybe they wouldn’t let Marty do it and he didn’t want to come.

Maybe there was too much political star power. Maybe he has issues with Mort Zuckerman? Whatever. The lights are lovely. There’s a Christmas tree made of lights underneath the Grand Army arch. The lights change color and it’s very pretty. There are other lights decorating the top of the arch. Brooklyn Record had this to say about the lights:

"These aren’t just normal Christmas lights either, but fancy LED ones
that change color and do other cool things, designed by renowned
lighting designer Jim Conti (who actually teaches Lighting at
Parson’s). The project is sponsored by New York’s favorite paper
(maybe), The Daily News, and also includes free trolley
service on weekends around the park to see all the lights. They’ll be
up till January 7th, so if you aren’t festive yet, you’ve got time
(though, seriously, what’s your problem?)"

It’ll look great when that big Lubavitch menorah shows up for Hanukah. Lots of lights for everybody.

What fun to be in the Park in the evening. Bloomberg thanked God for the moon and Zuckerman and others for the lighting.  A lovely ceremony and I’m sorry I didn’t know about it to blog about it so more people woulda known about it.

photo by www.flickr.com/photos/suzun