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Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz (at podium) is joined by, from left, Legislator John Mills, Town of Orchard Park Recreation Director Ed Leake, Kris Kringle, and Parks Commissioner Daniel J. Rizzo to announce the return of Santa Land to Chestnut Ridge this weekend.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz (at podium) is joined by, from left, Legislator John Mills, Town of Orchard Park Recreation Director Ed Leake, Kris Kringle, and Parks Commissioner Daniel J. Rizzo to announce the return of Santa Land to Chestnut Ridge this weekend.

Celebrate season at Santa Land

Submitted

Tue, Dec 4th 2018 03:35 pm
Poloncarz, St. Nick join forces at Chestnut Ridge Park to announce return of free, 2-day family fun event
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Monday by Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo, members of the Orchard Park Recreation Department and the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy, and Santa Claus at the Casino at Chestnut Ridge Park to announce the return of Santa Land to Chestnut Ridge. He will visit from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Again this year, the Erie County Parks Department is partnering with the Orchard Park Recreation Department to present this popular, free event that features a full schedule of family fun on both days.
"Christmas is in the air and a sure sign is the return of Santa Land to Chestnut Ridge Park," Poloncarz said. "It's a free event that brings children of all ages together to spend some Christmas time at one of Erie County's beautiful parks, take part in some seasonal activities, and even meet one-on-one with Santa.
"I want to thank Commissioner Rizzo and his department, along with their partners, for their work in presenting this great event again this year."
Presented by the Erie County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department in conjunction with the Orchard Park Recreation Department, Santa Land is bringing back family activities this year, including woodcutting and marshmallow roasts on both days. Family favorites from earlier years return as well, with hayrides to Santa, face-painting, and arts and crafts scheduled for both days. In addition, the casino's concession stand will be open during the event offering food and drink for sale. If conditions permit, sledding will also be available.
Santa Land is also a designated drop-off site for the Toys for Tots campaign, and participants are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy to brighten a child's holiday.
"We are excited to be hosting Santa Land at beautiful Chestnut Ridge Park again this year and want to thank our event sponsors and friends at the Orchard Park Recreation Department for joining us to provide this wonderful free family event," Rizzo said. "We welcome parents to bring their families out to enjoy all that Santa Land has to offer, but also to join in the spirit of giving by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for those less fortunate children within our community."
For more information on the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, visit http://www2.erie.gov/parks/.

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