Happy as can be, Breckenridge Avenue resident Jayden Valente, 2, snuggles between his parents Marco and Danielle as they pose for a photo six feet away from Santa (played by Andrew Marroquin). After a long night of delivering gifts around the world, Mr. Claus made one last stop at Crawford Park on Saturday, Dec. 26, to spread cheer to the community at the Rye Town-sponsored Holiday Drive Through Celebration.
Stopped cars filled with families eager to partake in the festivities wait in a line that stretches all the way down the windy road leading to Crawford Mansion. The event was so highly attended that the entrance was periodically shut down as a means of traffic control.
Between families approaching for a Christmas photo, Mrs. Claus (played by Blind Brook High School senior Kate Jaffee) and photographer Naomi Bowen warm their hands up by the patio heater.
In a socially distanced fashion, Santa Claus waves at the photographer while Mrs. Claus adoringly looks toward Port Chester residents David Laski (left), 7, Angelica Przyslak, 14, Domenica Przyslak, 12, and their mother Aga Przylak.
Mahopac resident Naomi Bowen, the official Holiday Drive Through photographer, directs families into the proper position to take the perfect Christmas photo. Groups were instructed to sit in their cars and wait their turn to approach Santa alone to limit gathering.
Elegantly lit trees surround the Crawford Mansion Community Center to create a warm, festive atmosphere for the holidays.
At the end of the night, Rye Town staff, volunteers and elected officials responsible for the holiday celebration gather for a final picture to commemorate a successful event.
After waiting in a long line for a chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus (also known as Peter Jackson and Rye Town Clerk Hope Vespia), Port Chester sisters Eli, 4, and Lucie Cadek, 2, take a break from chatting to gaze into the camera for a photo at the Rye Town Holiday Lights festival at Crawford Park on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Waiting for the kiddie train to take them around Crawford Park, Rye resident Samita Schroeder and her 2-year-old daughter Sydney cozy up to enjoy the lights together.
Santa Claus and holiday lights are cool and all, but Port Chester 2-year-old Amelia Bianculli would much rather spend her time in a very climbable tree.
Talcott Woods, Rye Brook, resident Alvaro Larrain and his 2-year-old daughter Elysa walk hand-in-hand as they enter a festively decorated garden on the grounds to go for a magical stroll.
Win or lose, East Broadway, Port Chester, resident Matthew Hernandez is just thrilled to be playing air hockey in the Crawford Mansion Community Center game room.
The holidays are all about family bonding, which is exactly what King Street, Rye Brook, resident Ernie Perez aims to do with his 9-year-old son Sebe by shooting hoops in the game room.
Port Chester High School band director Mike Miceli needed a little help conducting, and Park Avenue Elementary School first-grader Arinna Romero’s eyes lit up when she was asked for assistance.
Eyes are on conductor Mike Miceli as the Port Chester High School band plays “Carol of the Bells” for Holiday Lights festival attendees relaxing by the food trucks.
The Blind Brook High School band provides festive music for people to enjoy as they wait in line to meet Santa Claus inside the Crawford Mansion Community Center.
Greenwich, Conn. residents Hudson Nethercott, 7, and his 18-month-old sister Ryder are looking just as jolly as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Pearl Street, Port Chester, 3-year-old Valentina Franco goes on a mission to find the best markers for her holiday greeting card in the arts and crafts room.
