Santa trades in his sleigh for a train

An estimated 700 people came out for the Wantagh Preservation Society’s annual holiday open house last Sunday afternoon. The line to see Santa stretched from the train car where he was stationed back to Wantagh Avenue.

Children were able to give Santa their requests, and all came out with a candy cane and bag of goodies. While they waited, guests could sip hot chocolate and snack on cookies while enjoying music from the Wantagh High School orchestra and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

“I thought it was beautifully done, a beautiful community event,” said Chrissy Rothhaput, of Wantagh, who brought her four children, ages 1 to 6, because they wanted to see Santa.

Karen Chowske, president of the Preservation Society, credited the warm weather with possibly the largest turnout ever. “It is a wonderful day, so happy to see all these Wantagh families,” she said. “We like to see the people in the community come and we also like to make them aware that we’re here.

Members of the Miss Wantagh Court greeted visitors outside the museum. “We’re just here to help,” Miss Wantagh Keri Balnis said. “Everyone’s coming together and celebrating the holidays.”