Santa Claus traded in his sleigh for fire trucks last weekend on his trips to the annual tree-lighting festivities in East Williston and Williston Park.
He greeted kids and village officials alike at East Williston’s Village Hall Dec. 4 after the Christmas tree was lit on the Village Green, accompanied by caroling from Boy and Girl Scouts.
The event, sponsored by the East Williston Fire Department “to start the Christmas season and get in the mood,” also had hot chocolate and cookies in the nearby firehouse, said Caroline DeBenedittis, head of the village’s Recreation Committee.
In Williston Park, lighting the tree and Hanukkah menorah Dec. 6 drew a crowd of about 350 people to the Village Hall lawn, Mayor Paul Ehrbar said.
The village’s recreation committee put together the event, which featured appearances by local Brownie troops and Herricks school district Superintendent Fino Celano, as well as music by Searingtown School students.
“I think everybody walked away with a good feeling for the spirit of the time of year,” Ehrbar said.
The holiday events are years-long traditions in both villages. A firefighter usually plays Santa Claus in East Williston, DeBenedittis said. This year the honor went to firefighter and village Trustee Chris Siciliano.
The Santa who showed up in Williston Park was the man himself, Ehrbar said.
