Holiday cheer in the Moriches

Last year’s holiday parade.

Photo courtesy of CM Fire Department

Posted Thursday, December 2, 2021 12:00 am

Annual Holiday Parade of Lights, Dec. 11

The Center Moriches Fire Department is hosting its annual Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 11. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will make its way through Main Street.

It’s a family-oriented parade, which attracts thousands to Center Moriches each year. There are around 100 community groups involved, including fire departments, EMS, scouts, and more. And of course, Santa will be making an appearance aboard a Center Moriches fire truck at the end of the parade.

“The Center Moriches FD Holiday Parade of Lights is a timeless family tradition,” Bill Renzetti, Center Moriches FD parade chairman, said. “While we had to get creative last year due to COVID and modify the parade route, it will be nice to bring the parade back to Main Street for all to see.”

There’s a committee of about 10 people behind the scenes planning the parade, and about 15 who help it run smoothly on the day. Judges will be on hand looking closely at all the floats to see who will earn a trophy. Some of the awards include best fire/EMS apparatus, best community group, and more. This year’s judges are Miriam Gillies and Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine.

For more information on the parade, contact 631-878-0089 or parade@Centermorichesfd.com

Here’s what’s happening in Center Moriches:

Menorah Lighting, Friday, Dec. 3

The chamber of commerce will be hosting the menorah lighting on Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Center Moriches Square Shopping Center. Rabbi Jack Shlachter and the local synagogue will conduct a small ceremony. All are welcome.

Holiday Tree Lighting, Friday, Dec. 10

The annual tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. on Main Street in Center Moriches at the Center Moriches Square Shopping Center. There will be a performance by students from Center Moriches High School chorus. There will be an appearance by Santa Claus, and hot chocolate and cookies. The tree will feature a lighting ceremony.

Rotary Breakfast with Santa,
Sunday, Dec. 5

The Moriches Rotary Club’s Breakfast with Santa will be held at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck from 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $6 for kids, $8 seniors and $10 for adults and can be purchased at the door. Pictures with Santa are $6.

District Rotary 7255,
Share the Blessings program

District Rotary 7255 Passport Club also has plans to continue their Share the Blessings program. According to leader Janice Graf, every two weeks the club distributes basic needs and food to families who live at local campsites, serving about 30 to 50 people, including about 40 children.

Moriches Community Center,
family support

The Moriches Community Center will be collecting and shopping for Christmas. All items are then donated to families identified as “in-need” by the district.

Those interested in lending a hand can do so monetarily through donations or by volunteering their time to shop. Donation drop-offs are also welcome.

The community gift-wrapping day, which was not held last year due to COVID restrictions, is back. The event is volunteer-run and allows those who want to help the opportunity to do so. The day is usually held on the Saturday before Christmas and is to be announced. About 75 families are aided through the program.

Center Moriches Library, holiday events

The Center Moriches Library will again be hosting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The donation boxes are located in the hallway and the library, where people can place donations of new, unwrapped toys to help a child in need. The boxes will be available until Monday, Dec. 20.

The library will also be hosting two Zoom gingerbread cookie-making classes at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 and 20. They will also be hosting two Zoom wreath-decorating events on Sunday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 13. For the full list of events, visit centermoricheslibrary.org.

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