Bronx Tree Lighting

Even in 50-degree weather, Bronxites gathered outside the courthouse on 161st, to welcome the Christmas Holiday by lighting up a 12-foot tree. Diana Perez, press secretary for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said this event is meant to “to get the Bronxites together.”

With the arrival of the borough president, two choirs sang Christmas carols and the national anthem.

The choirs consisted of about 30 children each from M.S 390 and Cardinal Spellman High School Gospel Sensation. They sang “Fa-La-La,” Christmas Glory Hallelujah, Melody with Little Drummer Boy along with Peace on Earth and Soulful Christmas.

“This is a yearly event,” said 62-year-old Aureo Cardona, the first Latino District leader of the Bronx.

“Never mind Rockefeller Center and the Rockefeller tree, we are in the boogie down… and we got our own tree, let’s light up our own tree,” said Diaz, wearing his Santa Claus hat.