STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Santa and his horse-drawn carriage clip-clopped down Forest Avenue at the annual West Brighton holiday stroll on Thursday night. The spectacle brought hundreds to the North Shore community for holiday cheer plus complimentary tastings from several food businesses along the drag.
Santa started at Hart Boulevard around 4:45 p.m. with photos and candid Christmas list heart-to-hearts with little ones. Horses led the way to Broadway, then back again to Hart for a second lap around town. Biggest crowds were spotted at Beans ‘n’ Leaves, Thomson Law Firm and Pastosa. The latter shop had a crowd of about 150 revelers from Sacred Heart R.C. Church and school, a group led by its pastor Rev. Rizalino (“Father Rhey”) Garcia.
Restaurants sampled tastes for the crowds. Some edibles included cheesesteaks from Jody’s Club Forest, chocolates from On Your Mark Chocolatier, taquitos from Ho’Brah, hero bites from Ronnie’s Sandwich Shoppe, steaming chili from Burrito Bar and pasta from a decorated-to-the-hilt Panini Grill. Several storekeepers doled out hot chocolate with optional marshmallows. A bubbly crew at Moretti’s Bakery handed out cookie-shaped trees and other festive sweets.
With traditions appreciated by those only from Staten Island, Frankie the FerryHawk danced to Sinatra holiday tunes in front of The Staaten. The Grinch also made an appearance as a passenger in a tinsel-decked van blaring Christmas music, an oddly riveting North Shore curiosity that happens on random holidays throughout the year.
Jack LiGreci himself stood with family and staff, shaking hands with fans in front of his eponymous catering hall.
The West Brighton LDC and Forest Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) staff organized the evening. Priscilla Marco of the collective community groups expressed her delight for the yearly shindig. She said 28 businesses provided treats for attendees.
Santa comes to Forest Avenue much to the delight of families and the West…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply