Winter Wonderland Opens With Tree Lighting Ceremony

VALHALLA, NY — Westchester County's Winter Wonderland opened Friday with the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree. Westchester County Deputy Executive Ken Jenkins joined with Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department at Kensico Dam Plaza for the celebration.

Thanks to the event’s presenting sponsor, Westchester Medical Center, a special child was welcomed to help light the tree: 7-year old Mohegan Lake resident Mia Bento, a former patient at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

Bento was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 5 in 2017 and was treated by oncology services.

The tree lighting ceremony was sponsored by Robison Oil.

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland takes place six consecutive weekends through Jan. 4, plus weekday bonus days during the school holiday.

For one $20 all-inclusive ticket price, guests can enjoy unlimited access to the new Santa’s Village at the North Pole with live reindeer, amusement rides, a live circus performance, ice skating rink plus free skate rental, and a dazzling holiday light show featuring favorite elves Ned and Albert.

Proceeds from this event benefit the parks foundation and allow the organization to further its mission to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.

For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.