Note: Thank you to all who donated to our annual essentials drive for Island Harvest. We will continue collecting throughout the holiday season. You may also give to Island Harvest online here.
AN ORGANICALLY GROWN, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY EVENT
Nineteen years ago, well before “Small Business Saturday” actually became a thing, the Mayor of Northport was visiting the proprietors of The Northport Hardware Company. Together, they stumbled upon an old gag gift. — a leg lamp from the classic movie, A Christmas Story. Laughing all the way, they stuck it in the front window, and gave it an honorary salute.
From that quirky moment, the Northport Leg Lamp Lighting has grown to become a beloved community celebration of local talent, small-town charm, and our village’s unique ability to unite over something delightfully whimsical to create something truly spectacular.
Over nearly two decades it has grown, becoming one of Long Island’s most beloved “kick-offs” to the holiday season.
The Hardware store is long gone, but the tradition has survived. When that building became our home as The Firefly Artists, in 2022, community members asked if we would please bring their celebration of community, art and a good laugh home.
We were honored. A Major Award, indeed!
Of course, we couldn’t do it without a lot of help! You may find a shopping guide to Northport merchants who kicked in raffle prizes and donations here. Thank you, Northport!!!
A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ART AND ARTISTS
Our deep, deep thanks to The Reichert Family and Former Mayor George Doll, long central to our community, for starting this tradition we are so honored to continue. We are also grateful to Mayor Donna Koch, who first called the Tigerettes to perform in the street and who now also provides the light, as well as all who join her in arranging for village, highway and police support.
At core, the Northport Leg Lamp Lighting celebrates the Northport Community; a small town on the outskirts of a giant metropolis where it’s perfectly natural for the mayor to be walking the streets and hanging out with the neighbors. It’s about small businesses and big hearts, local talent and great senses of humor. It’s about a community that will rally around the silliest of things and create something beautiful.
The Firefly didn’t really run this event, so much as serve as a vessel and a stage for the community. We are delighted to host this showcase of local talent while giving it our best to maintain the down to earth charm and supportive atmosphere that are its hallmarks. It highlights so much of what is wonderful, not only about the tradition but our own eclectic gallery and the village that nurtures both. Grateful to all who are a part of it!
The Firefly was joined in planning by The Community Playhouse of Northport, members of whom helped raise the talented techs of North Stream. Those techs, in turn, provide the sound and lighting that make it possible to better hear and see our neighbors performing, right in the middle of Main Street! They are fabulous!!!
The entire scene was painted Firefly Kirk Larsen. The original is available at the gallery, as are prints!
CREDITS
CAROLERS
Community Playhouse of Northport, led by Gail Dequino
WELCOME REFLECTIONS BY
Mayor Donna Koch
Caroline Flynn, Journalist, Communications Specialist, and Beloved Booster of Northport
Casey Bernson, Ava Bulanowski, Ella Cleary, Scarlett DePaul, Margaret FitzMaurice, Jillian Heuer, Gabby Mancusi,
Ava Marion, Ella Mason, Sara Moore, Ella Mugno, Sabrina Rehn, Leah Rodgers, Ava Scheibe, Jessica Scheibe, Emily Shah,
Scarlett Stack, Brynn Tully, Chloe Wagner
Sugar Plum Fairy – Valerie Sperber
THE COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE OF NORTHPORT
Auditions for their next production, “Oliver,” are happening in late February. Find out more on their website here.
Mrs. Parker: Suzie Lustig
Old Man: Brad Schlossberg
Ralphie: Dean Michaelides
Randy: Lucas Michaelides
Narrated by Justin Murphy
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Katheryn Laible
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Aly Graci
STAGE MANAGER IN PINK BUNNY SUIT
Drigo Morin
THE TECH
NorthStream
Theo Lau
Steve Caputo
THE SET
Community Playhouse of Northport
Rob Nock and James Darcy (the Crate)
Mayor Donna Koch, Village of Northport (The Leg and more, All the Admin)
Steve Caputo & Aly Graci (additional considerations)
Beth Atkinson
Drigo Morin
Highway Dept.
Northport Village Police
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Christine Maichin, Jennifer Lau
HOT CHOCOLATE & COOKIES
Denis Beyersdorf, The Northport Shipwreck Diner
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY
501st Legion, Empire City Garrison
Aside from sharing the love of Start Wars, The Saber Guild’s primary purpose is charity, primarily to Cohen’s Children’s Hospital.
FOOD DRIVE
We are grateful the Jedi agreed our annual Island Harvest Essentials Drive was a suitable worthy cause. Thank you to all who brought essentials for those less fortunate. Our gallery will remain a collection site thoughout the holiday season. You may also donate here.
This year’s drive honors the memory of Kevin McNeil, a Veteran who never let his physical challenges get in the way of being an incredibly giving person. Island Harvest was one of several local charities he was committed to. Volunteering here meant the world to him.
His passion for supporting his artist friends made a special impact on our gallery. He is dearly missed.
RECEPTION
LIVE MUSIC BY
The Drama Kings
TASTY CHARCUTERIE BY
The Wine Cellar on Main
IT TAKES A VILLAGE: THANK YOU NEIGHBORS!
Northport Leg Lamp Lighting
90 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
November 30th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
