Shop Downtown! Shop Northport! Photo by Drigo Morin
The Northport Leg Lamp Lighting
Here is a story about a beloved Long Island Main Street. If you’d like to skip straight to our Northport shopping guide, click here. You can find images and video of the 2024 event on The Firefly Artists Facebook page. Thank you to all who joined us!
This is how it all came to be:
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 holiday 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!
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, provided the the sound and lighting that made 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 by 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
It was delicious and sounded great!
LIVE MUSIC BY
The Drama Kings
TASTY CHARCUTERIE BY
The Wine Cellar on Main
It Takes a Village: Thank You Sponsors!
Northport is basically a ¼-mile strip that starts with amazing restaurants and a world-class theater. It ends with a park featuring landmark gazebos, including one at the end of a beautiful walk over the water. In between reside a whole host of lovely small businesses, many of whom are featured below.
The vast majority of what goes into this event is gifted local talent. However, when you have over 1000 people in the street, you need professional A/V so that folks can at least hear. Fortunately, people seem to love being involved with this. We set up a GoFundMe to make that as easy as possible.
2o24 Leg Lamp Merchant Donors -- THANK YOU!!!
Thank you, merchant neighbors, for filling our windows with raffle prizes and otherwise helping us Light the Leg!
Like so many small businesses, Northport merchants do SO MUCH for our communities ALL THE TIME. They donate to local events, charities, sports teams and more, often rolling up their sleeves to offer precious time and energy as well. They give local artists a chance and act as stewards of the historic sites that they inhabit. At the very least, they give of themselves to shops that are labors of love; delightful galleries of unique and wonderful gifts, sustenance and experience…
Pop in and support these folks who give so much. Pay attention to the sponsor listings of other local events and make time to visit those places, too. The best way to thank them is to support them. You’ll be glad you did as they generally put that very same heart into their businesses.
It’s easy to find wonderful gifts for not nearly as much as you might think, and a great way to keep all sorts of magic alive.
Here’s a guide to get you started! Thank you:
DIAMOND MERCHANTS:
Connolly Music Company: (8 Vernon Valley Rd, E. Northport) is a family owned business that has served music shops for over 50 years. They’re the US source for an exclusive lineup of world class products and accessories, including Thomastik-Infeld instrument strings, K&M music stands and more! The owner, Jake Connolly, lives in Northport.
The Northport Shipwreck Diner: (46 Main Street) This trolly car of a breakfast joint embedded in Main Street is iconic and delicious. We are deeply grateful that Denis Beyersdorf has stepped up to be the third generation to steward it, including continuing traditions like offering the whole town hot chocolate and cookies on this very special night. It was the former owner, Tim Hess saying “Please,” and offering warm cuppas for everyone that really got us into this event. We know this is much of what folks come for!
Firefly Kirk Larsen: (90 Main Street) Kirk has been passionate about drawing and painting since early childhood and he’s never met a medium I didn’t like. His work ranges from oil painting “en plein air” (including the last Leg Lighting) to all genres of studio work, LIVE music and event paintings and all forms of sculpture. He is honored to be recognized with over 198 awards for painting in oils, acrylic, watercolors, gouache, drawing, colored pencil, mixed media, pen & ink, photography and sculpture – for portraits, still life, landscapes and abstraction.
North Stream Entertainment (70 Bridge Rd, Islandia) More than just an AV company, North Stream is your destination for cutting-edge AV solutions and your partner in creating immersive experiences through meticulous installations, and expert consulting. At North Stream Group, customer satisfaction is the top priority. With a commitment to modern solutions, meticulous craftsmanship, and personalized attention, they ensure that every project is executed flawlessly, leaving a lasting impression.
The Wine Cellar on Main: (70 Main Street) Sommelier chosen wines by the glass & bottle, local craft beer, tapas & dine in menus from sister location SALTED. on the Harbor and Maroni Cuisine. The bar is also a fine art gallery. There is often live music. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
PLATINUM
Trinity Community Art Center: (130 Main Street) Welcome to the Trinity Community Art Center (TCAC), located in the St. Bede’s House at Trinity Episcopal Church. TCAC features an intriguing array of fine arts, exhibits, adult and children’s workshops and the occasional social event.
Firefly Constance Sloggatt Wolf: (90 Main Street) “I study Nature first, searching for primary, universal forms and ideas, symbols that all human beings may relate to. Inspired by the physical beauty of my materials, I approach the work openly tapping into this understanding of the natural world and allowing the act of painting to transform knowledge into a visual dialogue.”
SILVER
Diana Anton Jewelry Design, Firefly Diana Anton: (90 Main Street) Diana’s work reflects the process of its making, therefore, each piece may contain file marks, scratches, dents, bumps, bruises, and of course the occasional bite mark. My jewelry incorporates mismatched elements, often combining textures, patterns, stones, chains and colors to create a sense of whimsy. Every day, she challenges herself to make interesting, beautiful and unique pieces, expertly utilizing only the simplest of techniques.
Brú na Bó: (33 Scudder Ave) Created by Jack Reidy, a local Irishman, Brú na Bó is Gaelic for “Palace of the Cow.” It’s a nod to Cow Harbor and a bridge from Ireland to Northport. A little bit off our beaten track, this is a treasure worth hunting; a fusion of the esthetic and history of the proprietor’s homeland, wares from local craftspeople, and artifacts that captivate the imagination. There’s lighting, furniture, art, so many things in between. If you can’t find what you’re looking for they are happy to design and craft it for you!
The Consignment Shop: (139 Main Street) Northport’s premier consignment shop upcycling men’s & women’s clothing, accessories & house goods.
Salted. On the Harbor: (70 Main Street) Proprietor & Sommelier Lindsay Ostrander has been in the restaurant industry since she was 14. Wanting “Northport to be a stamp on the map for restaurants too,” she and her family designed Salted to round out what they felt was missing. Their Chef Anthony has a resume with some of the best locations around, such as Park Place, Nisen Sushi, Matteo’s, just to name a few. With a little help from their friend Doug Brickell of the famed Cork & Kerry, their beverage savant, they bring to you carefully crafted cocktails & spirits, as well as craft beer and amazing wines chosen by the Owner/Sommelier, who for the past decade has also happened to own The Wine Cellar.
How blessed are we to have these folks! Go! Keep them in business for decades to come, will you? It’s totally worth it!
