Winterfest turns Pine Ridge Park into a festive, holiday wonderland
December 8, 2022 at 5:12 a.m.
Gianni (right) and Gino Patafio, respectively 6 and 4 years old, pose for a picture with Santa, who is played by Chris Paliulis of Chris and Pete Amusements—a Waterbury, Conn.-based entertainment company. The two traveled from their Brower Place home in Port Chester to visit the Rye Brook Recreation-sponsored Winterfest in Pine Ridge Park on Friday, Dec. 2.
Members of the Blind Brook High School Bands pose in front of the glowing Christmas tree and menorah that were just lit as part of the Winterfest celebrations. They performed a few songs in front of the crowd before the lighting.
In the belly of a large, blow-up snowman, several young children jump around in merriment as the wintry decoration also serves as a bounce house.
Leo Schroeder, a 1-year-old Bolognese, carries a small stick he found at Pine Ridge Park. His owner Sukanya Karishnan brought him to Winterfest from their Rock Ridge Drive home.
The Royal Express carries passengers past one of the baseball fields at Pine Ridge Park. The train’s route allowed riders to observe all the action and blow-up decorations that were the staple of Winterfest.
Chunks of ice spray everywhere as professional ice carver Rich Daly demonstrates his craft to a crowd of onlookers. He owns Ice Memories, a Long Island-based company.
Elizabeth Odisharia is fascinated by the shards of ice she plays with. The Ridge Street Elementary School fourth-grader smashes them against the stone wall forming the corner of the Pine Ridge Park basketball court.
Ridge Street Elementary School fifth-grader Griffin So watches the Winterfest activities from the swings at the park. He’s lost in his own world as he watches Santa holding young children in his lap, an ice carver crafting and a train ride carrying dozens of passengers.
Giant blow-up models of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a dalmatian holding the Star of David in its mouth stand in front of a large Christmas tree.
An adventurous soul, Ridge Street Elementary School fifth-grader Oren Fery climbed all the way to the top of the crow’s nest at the Pine Ridge Park playground. As he perches on the structure’s roof, he watches the Winterfest merriment taking place below him.
In a blur of motion, a group of local children spin around as they ride a playground attraction at Pine Ridge Park. They hang on for dear life, hoping not to get tossed off by the centrifugal force generated by their speed.
