NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the City of New Rochelle and the BID, held its annual tree lighting ceremony at Memorial Plaza in downtown New Rochelle earlier this evening. Over a hundred residents were on hand including dozens of children who sang and waited patiently for the arrival of Santa Claus.

Chamber Executive Director Eli Gordon did the honors as a 20 foot tall Christmas Tree and Menorah were lit. Absent this year were Kwanzaa candles.

Also addressing the crowd was Rabbi Amiel Wohl of Temple Israel and Mayor Noam Bramson.

Santa Claus, as is tradition, arrived on the back of a New Rochelle fire truck. The men from Ladder 11 escorted Santa to the Plaza. As kids and adults gathered around, Santa handed out Candy Canes to the eager children.

The Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday party at the recently renovated On The Waterfront restaurant.