Holiday Festival Returns To Stony Brook Village

STONY BROOK, NY — "Santa Claus" is expected to make an appearance at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization's 43rd Annual Holiday Festival on Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. in Stony Brook.

The free event will include music by WALK 97.5 from 2 to 4 p.m., as well as carolers, a performance from the Roseland Dance Studio, a petting zoo, displays, and activities.

The Bethel AME Choir will perform before the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Organizers urged children to write letters to "Santa" and begin mailing them at the Stony Brook Post Office in the red “Mail for Santa” mailbox on Nov. 23, and letters will be accepted through the season.

Santa will arrive on an antique fire truck at 2 p.m., and then at 2:15 p.m., there will be a Legends and Spies Puppet Procession in front of the Stony Brook Fire Department, followed by a parade, accompanied by the Ward Melville High School Marching Band.

The Roseland Dance Studio's dancers will perform after the parade.

The WMHO’s Youth Corps' will host a scavenger hunt, giving participants the chance to win Stony Brook Village Center gift certificates, Discovery Cruise tickets, and other prizes. All proceeds will be donated to the "Santa Fund," which provides food and clothing to the needy.

Festival goers can also participate in the Holiday Tree Festival by voting for their favorite trees with ballots found in all the village's establishments. Voting will take place from Dec. 4 to Dec. 20.

The day will end with "Santa" arriving on a holiday float, and with some children from the community, and he will light the holiday tree on the Village Green.