'Santa-Grams' And Movie Screenings Come To Wantagh, Seaford Parks

WANTAGH, NY — Free movie screenings, wildlife presentations and "Santa-grams" are coming to Nassau County parks in Wantagh and Seaford. Officials on Wednesday unveiled the county's upcoming holiday and winter season festivities at parks, museums and other facilities.

A letter-mailing program will be held at Wantagh Park from Nov. 21 through Dec. 14 where kids can send Santa Claus their holiday wish lists via a network of themed mailboxes. Every child who sends letters to Santa will also receive a "Santa-Gram" response from the North Pole, thanks to Santa's elves at the parks department. Don't worry parents — the responses will be noncommittal, so you won't have to buy any ponies or Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifles. To receive a reply from the North Pole each letter must contain the child's name and address, legibly written. Postage is not necessary for the Santa letters — the elves will handle it from there.

The jolly red and green mailboxes will be accessible from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at administration buildings.

There will also be free movie screenings and wildlife presentations at Tackapausha Museum & Preserve in Seaford. On Nov. 29, the documentary film "A Murder of Crows" will screen, followed by a Dec. 27 showing of the documentary film "Besieged Fortress." On both days, the films will screen throughout the day.

Additionally, a holiday wildlife celebration will be held in the park on Dec. 14 beginning at 1 p.m. featuring live animal presentations, crafts and family-fun activities provided by the South Shore Audubon Society.

Other events will also be offered at other county parks throughout the season, including an 1860s-style Thanksgiving, gingerbread cookie workshops, a holiday celebration for military families, and free performances by a symphony orchestra.

"Continuing to enhance our parks and expand their fun and unique seasonal programs is key to making Nassau a better place for people to live, work and play," Laura Curran, the county executive, said in announcing the festivities. "I want to encourage families to celebrate the season right here in Nassau County and take advantage of all the holiday happenings and winter activities we have to offer."

For more information and to see all the county events, visit the Nassau County Events Calendar.