STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The South Shore Business Improvement District (South Shore BID) traditionally hosts the island’s largest tree lighting event in Annadale the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. However, given the current climate and gathering rules, the organization has created a new event entitled Operation Jingle All The Way to take its place.

On Sunday, November 29th the organization will virtually light the tree in Annadale via its Facebook page, and then the towns of Annadale, Eltingville and Great Kills will get a special visit from Santa Claus as he drives through the neighborhoods on board The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund Firetruck. His location can be tracked in real time on the South Shore BID website so that families can come outside and greet him and take photos as he drives by.

“We may have had to adapt, but you can’t stop Santa from visiting the South Shore,” said Gary Fleming, President of the South Shore BID.

He said, “Our tree lighting event is a tradition for so many families, and this year despite all that’s going on around us, we intend to spread joy and cheer to our District.”

The tree will remain lit for the duration of the season and revelers are encouraged to come visit the tree, drive through the town to see the lights, and of course support the local businesses in the district with their patronage. The event begins on Sunday, Nov. 29 at approximately 6 p.m.

Follow Santa’s path live by visiting www.southshorebid.org or from the phone by texting the word SSBID to the number 313131.

The event is sponsored by The South Shore BID, Councilman Joe Borelli, Hudson Wealth Management and Molloy Electric.