Arthur Manor’s 95th Annual Holiday Celebration in Davis Park

Arthur Manor is making history. On a chilly and overcast Sunday afternoon, December 15th, 2024, the Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association celebrated its 95th annual holiday sing and tree lighting ceremony in Davis Park. This annual event in Davis Park began in 1918, the founding year of the Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association.

The day’s festivities began with the crowd singing their favorite Christmas and Hanukkah songs which were all expertly directed by the voice of Arthur Manor’s own Jeanie Bongiorno. Hot chocolate, brownies, holiday cupcakes and cookies were provided by all of the volunteer residents who helped make the day a special one in Arthur Manor.

After the holiday caroling finished, the annual holiday event then included the lighting of the large pine tree in Davis Park by Arthur Manor resident Maura Danahy. The tree lights were strung earlier in the week in Davis Park under the direction of Scarsdale’s Public Works and the dedicated Pubic Works’ crew.

The crowd on Sunday also included Lou Mancini and many other active members of Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, founded on Sprague Road in Arthur Manor in 1893. Scarsdale’s Volunteer Fire Company Number 1 is an integral part of the Arthur Manor association.

Following the group sing, everyone’s all-time favorite, Santa Claus (played by long time Arthur Manor resident Rick Wingate), arrived at Davis Park in true style in an antique 1946 Scarsdale Fire Department truck driven by another long time Arthur Manor resident Michael Keating.

After Santa completed his rounds in Davis Park with many photographs taken and all of the candy canes handed out to the children, Santa Claus left the group at Davis Park to visit other holiday celebrations in Scarsdale and beyond.

This annual festivity in Arthur Manor’s Davis Park is made possible by the collective efforts of the many Arthur Manor volunteers including especially the Marcus, Roche, Porco, Salazar, Stuart and Bongiorno families, and all of the other Arthur Manor volunteers too numerous to list here. Many good memories were made on Sunday and the Arthur Manor Board of Directors wishes to thank everyone who helped to make this year’s 95th celebration so special.