Sachem High School North is having their annual Festival of Trees and Lights event this year on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20. With the COVID-19 pandemic safety measures and guidelines put in place at the school, things are going to look a little different this year.
Assistant Principal Jose Cruz has run the event smoothly for more than 10 years. This year, despite the difficult circumstances, is no different as he found a way to make it happen once again for the Sachem community.
“This year is going to be great for everyone involved,” said Cruz. “The way it will work is the cars will roll in and go to the senior parking lot. From there they will watch an amazing holiday concert put together by our students on a big screen. Following the concert, the people who attend will drive out of the parking lot and see our entire campus decorated by our students clubs.”
Admission for the outdoor festival is 10 dollars per car. Not only will the attendees get to see a holiday performance by the students, but they will also be able to take a picture of Santa Claus who will be waiting for them on graduation hill by Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium.
“I am very happy that Santa is going to be here for the kids,” said Cruz. “We all need to stay safe and follow proper social distancing procedures. But the kids will still be able to greet him through their cars and take pictures of him in his sleigh. No one else has been given the opportunity to do these things because of the pandemic, I am glad we can make it work for the Sachem community.”
Everyone has been affected by the pandemic in some way this past year. From children having to do online learning, to people losing their jobs, it has been a rough year. Cruz says he wants the festival to, “brighten peoples spirits,” and help bring the community together during these times.
“It truly is important to provide this event to our community,” he said. “That is why everyone has worked so hard throughout the process to make this happen. We want to give families hope that we can get through this together. That we are all Sachem strong.”
You can also donate to the Sachem toy drive, which helps to give kids all around the community gifts this holiday season.
“The Sachem toy drive is really important to so many people in our community,” said Cruz. “People are still encouraged to help out if you can. They can do so by sending a check to Sachem North High School, making it out to myself, Jose Cruz. Anything they can do helps, we have been doing this for over a decade now. It does not matter where you are from, East or North everyone is supported from our toy drive.”
The festival starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Sachem toy drive drop off starts at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 20. It is located at Relations Towing & Collision, 1875 Lakeland Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779.