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In this episode, Kelly is joined but John Friia, to talk about the history of the holiday season in New York City!

Join them as they talk about the first Christmas tree lighting in the United States! They learn about the inventor of Christmas lights and how they became a staple to the holiday season in NYC.

They then talk about t’was the night before Christmas and the development of Chelsea! How the writer of the poem didn’t want to be associated with it, and how it became a worldwide sensation.

On the topic of Christmas stories, they talk about a Christmas Carol. The surprisingly short time it took to write and where New Yorkers can go see the original manuscript.

Kelly and John then turn their attention to music! They talk about the origins of “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause”, “Santa Baby” and “Need a little Christmas”.

And finally to close out the year, John and Kelly talk about ringing in the new year! John tells Kelly about the history of the Times Square New Year’s Eve party. They talk about their experiences going to the event and tell listeners what they need to know if they want to go themselves which they say that everyone should experience at least once.

But above all else; Santa Clause is a New Yorker.

Kelly Kopp’s Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

John Friia’s social media:
@here_in_ny on Instagram
@hereinnyc on TikTok

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In this Episode, Kelly is joined by Jae as he tells us the story of why he moved to New York City.

Kelly and Jae start off by talking about their week, and how busy they are. Kelly having been to the Rockefeller Center Tree lighting and taking his favorite picture in recent years. Jae talks about putting together this episode.

Kelly and Jae talk about the founding of this podcast. How they started working on it a year ago during this time and the process that they went through to make it happen.

Jae talks about Let's Get Civical, the other Podcast that he works on, which will be mentioned below. Kelly and Jae talk about what their goals are for next year.

Kelly talks about his Dear Friend Sandy, and the advice that she gave him that changed his life.

Kelly talks about how moving to New York City was the best decision that he's ever made. He talks about his plan that he made for coming here, and how the city had other plans for him. He talks about selling his house and moving to a new city with absolutely nothing.

And finally, He talks about what it meant for him to become a New Yorker. How it makes him feel whole.

Because above all else; Kelly and Jae are New Yorkers.

Kelly Kopp's Social Media
@NewYorkCityKopp

Jae Watson's Social Media
@Studiojae170

Please Check out Let's Get Civical!
@Let's Get Civical anywhere you listen to Podcasts.

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by John Friia! He is a digital creator, New York City historian and featured on PIX11's New York Living!

Kelly asks John about his New York Story: Where he's from, What kind of content he does, and why he has such a profound interest for New York City History.

Kelly tells us about his time as a balloon handler in the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. How he got the position, which balloons he got to handle, and he tells the story about the time he almost got to High Five a Rockette!

Kelly and John give tips about where to go to see the parade the best. Where has the best view, how to go so you can leave early, and where the best place to go to the bathroom is.

John tells Kelly about the history of the parade. When it started, the original parade route, how the Central Park Zoo was involved. John also tells us about the lengthy process that the balloons and floats go through before they can make it to the day of the Parade.

Kelly also tells John about the inflation ceremony, where thousands of people from around the world gather to see the balloons inflated. He gives the listeners tips on the best places and times to see this too.

But above all else; John Friia is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

John Friia's Social Media:
@Here_in_NY on Instagram
@hereinnyc on TikTok