Miller Place Historic District Christmas Tree Lighting- Jennifer Christy Photography and Michael Ray Images “Art Row”

2023 Tree Lighting Date TBA!

 

2022 Tree Lighting, December 11 2022!

The 2022 tree lighting event was quite an adventure. Despite being rained out and having the date changed, the turnout was smaller than expected. However, even in its small scale, the event was undeniably beautiful.

The rain may have dampened our initial plans, but it couldn’t dampen the spirit of the community. We gathered together, determined to make the most of the situation. The intimacy of the event allowed for more personal connections and a sense of coziness. The smaller crowd made it easier for everyone to engage with one another and truly experience the magic of the moment.

As the lights on the tree sparkled against the night sky, it was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, beauty can still shine through. The smaller size of the event allowed us to appreciate the details and intricacies of the decorations and the tree itself.

While last year’s tree lighting may not have been as grand as we had initially envisioned, it held a unique charm and warmth that will always be remembered. It served as a testament to the resilience and community spirit that thrives within our town.

Some cell phone photos from the event!

My beautiful children and my wonderful Mom!

The Hosts of the Miller Place Tree Lighting :

Jennifer (me), Owner of Jennifer Christy Photography 125 North Country Road, Miller Place

Mike, Owner of Michael Ray Images 111 North Country Rd Miller Place

 

 

Christmas Tree Lighting 2021

Tree Lighting 2021 was amazing! Thank you all to who participated!!! Here are some cell phone pics from the event

 

2020 Christmas tree lighting

2020 Tree Lighting did not happen due to the pandemic.

2019 Christmas Tree Lighting

1st annual “Art Row” Miller Place Tree Lighting 2019 in the historic district of Miller Place

How it started….

Get ready for the most exciting event of the year – the 2019 Tree Lighting! This has always been my favorite time of year, and I wanted to create a tradition that brings our community together. And what better way than with a tree lighting ceremony? Join us this Friday at 7pm for a magical evening. Please arrive a little early as parking is limited, and the doors open at 6:30.

We have a special treat in store for you! Children from Miller Place Cub Scout Pack 204 will lead us in Christmas carols, and we hope that everyone will join in the festive singing! So bring the printed carols below and let your voices fill the air. And to keep you warm, we’ll have hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts available for purchase. Plus, we have some incredible raffles lined up (see the list below) with all profits going towards the Daniel Hawkins House restoration campaign by the MPMS Historical Society.

Let me take a moment to share the background behind this event. For those who don’t know me, I’m Jennifer Disbrow, the photographer behind Jennifer Christy Photography. I specialize in capturing families, children, weddings, and events, always embracing the beauty of natural light. Miller Place is my hometown, and I have a deep love for this small community. Attending school here, it felt like everyone knew each other, creating a close-knit environment. Although our community has evolved over the years, it still holds that wonderful charm. Now, with my two children attending Miller Place schools, I’m excited to see both familiar and new faces in our community. My wish is to foster a stronger sense of unity and preserve the small-town feeling that I hold dear, and this tree lighting is a step towards that goal.

My photography studio is located at 125 North Country Road, in the historic Red farmhouse nestled between Carter’s Tree Farm and McNulty’s Ice Cream. It’s actually the former post office and general store of Miller Place, brimming with history. If you’re looking for a local photographer to capture your family, children, or special event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be honored to work with you.

Over a year ago, Michael Eamotte moved his artwork into the Daniel Hawkins House, a historic building just one door down from my studio. As fellow photographers, Michael and I had several conversations about collaborating. Michael, the photographer behind Michael Ray Images, focuses on capturing places and things, while I specialize in people. Alongside his business partner, Eric Grotz, who creates stunning frames from repurposed barn wood, they transformed the vacant Hawkins House into an amazing gallery. They hosted several successful events and brought other local artists into the space. Together, we refer to our little hub of historic buildings as “Art Row.” As they continue to renovate the Hawkins House, the MPMS Historical Society is running a campaign to raise funds for its restoration, preserving its historic charm while creating a gathering space for our community.

When Michael and I discussed collaborating, December became our target month. We wanted to raise awareness for both our brands and give back to the community. Thus, the idea of the tree lighting was born. This first annual event is just the beginning of something extraordinary. We hope to see it grow over the years, with more Miller Place businesses getting involved. Imagine a historic village evening with street vendors, Santa, a Christmas parade, music, and lots of singing, culminating in a beautiful tree lighting. Dreams can become reality, right?

Remember, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. So join us and help spread the joy in our historic district of Miller Place. This event is just the beginning, and we hope you’ll share in its inaugural year.

Our tree is absolutely stunning, standing tall at 12 feet! We owe a big thank you to Powers Country Gardens, located next to Brinkman’s Hardware in Miller Place, for generously donating the tree. They also have fresh cut trees available for purchase, so be sure to check them out!

At the tree lighting, we’ll have raffles available, with all proceeds going towards the Daniel Hawkins House Campaign. You can purchase one ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20. We’d like to express our gratitude to the businesses that donated prizes – please take the time to visit them all! (Raffles listed below)

Raffles :

Jennifer Disbrow Photography – 1 30 minute photo session in Miller place good for 2020!  includes 20 digital downloads! A $300 value

Michael Ray Images- 24×32 Matted and Signed and Framed Photo.

Prohibition Kitchen, Port Jefferson – $100 giftcard

Orto- $75 gift card

East End Oysters –  50 count oysters

East End Oysters –  50 count oysters

Bridgeport/ Port Jefferson Ferry Company- Sound Tigers Package: includes 4 tickets to game, roundtrip ferry tickets

Bridgeport/ Port Jefferson Ferry Company- Casino package: includes Round trip Ferry, food voucher and shuttle ride.

Party Hardy- Table top centerpiece

McNulty’s Ice Cream – 7 inch All Occasion Cake

Carter’s Tree Farm – Gift

Raffles are still coming in (if you are a local business that would like to donate please contact Jennifer.  The Daniel Hawkins House will open before the tree lighting at 6:30 Friday, come see the raffles displayed and get your tickets!

See you Friday at 7!!

Jennifer

 

 

 

Some photos from the event: IMG_1281