Winter festival coming to historic Longwood Estate in Ridge
Santa will visit the Longwood Estate in Ridge on Dec. 3. Credit: Too Come
Taking a jaunt on an antique sleigh — the kind Santa likes to ride — is one of the activities when the big guy comes to the historic Longwood Estate in Ridge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 3.
Upon arrival, visitors will first be met by elves and Mrs. Claus, walk through the historic house from the 1790s, and see two train displays, one with a Disney theme and the other a Victorian scene. Santa will meet children and parents can take their own photos, with an assist from the elves, says Diane Schwindt, Longwood Estate director. Kids should bring their letters to Santa and include the child’s name and address in the letter so Santa can reply. On the lawn, have roasted chestnuts and take pony rides.
Inside the grounds’ one-room schoolhouse from the 1800s, enjoy hot chocolate and face-painting. Outside the schoolhouse, take the ride on the antique sleigh — it sits atop a flatbed that’s pulled on a short path through the woods by a motorized vehicle. The sleigh, which is considered antique because nobody but Santa uses them anymore, fits about three people. Schwindt says.
The event is run by the town of Brookhaven. No advance registration is necessary, and there’s no rain date. The cost is $5 for children 12 and younger; those over 12 and grown-ups don’t pay. New, unwrapped toys will be collected for children in need. The only other cost is for pony rides; that fee will be determined by the vendor providing the rides. The estate is at the corner of Longwood and Smith roads in Ridge.
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.
