Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (Park Slope 5th Ave BID) and local residents rang in “the most wonderful time of the year” with the 16th annual tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 29 at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street, outside Washington Park’s J.J. Byrne Playground.

The free, family-friendly festivities on the pedestrian-friendly Fourth Street Plaza featured soapy magic tricks by Bubble Dad Chris Catanese, face painting, music by Victor V. Gurbo and Mark Caserto, an arts and crafts table, and warm chocolate provided by Chela Mexican Restaurant.

The highlight of the holiday event was, of course, Santa Claus — the most important person of the season. He and his elves trekked from the North Pole to Park Slope, posing f

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