At first Natalie Georges was hesitant to approach Santa Claus (played by John Giordano), but once the 2-year-old Winding Wood Road resident sits next to him, she’s more than happy to disclose her Christmas wishes during the annual Winterfest at Pine Ridge Park on Friday, Dec. 7.
Though a harsh winter chill runs rampant throughout the festival, 16-month-old Rye Brook resident Hudson Lefkowitz feels fine as she’s bundled up in her older brother’s snowsuit.
After joking about whether it’s possible to get frostbite while playing the guitar, children’s music performers Beth and Scott Bierko bring some heat to the stage with a song and dance about the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Old Orchard Road resident Alec Glantz is ready for a frosty ride. The Ridge Street Elementary School third-grader pretends to ride an ice sculpted sleigh as he poses for a picture for his mother.
As they anxiously wait for popcorn to warm them up, Ridge Street Elementary School first-grader Valentina Pardinas (front) and fourth-graders Nanami Fujisawa and Aline Vandergoten stand at the snack table with money in hand.
During its loop around Pine Ridge Park, the polar express train filled with children chugs away in front of the towering Super Slide and inflatable Grinch decoration welcoming guests to Winterfest.
Ridge Street Elementary School kindergarteners Audrey Peña (left), Charlotte Sundheim and Shannon Murphy politely pose for a picture before eagerly crowding around Santa (played by John Giordano) to chat about presents.
Kids of varying ages gather around ice carver Eric Wagner as he turns a block of ice into a sleigh.
