Ridgites ring in the season at Shore Road Gazebo

Ridgites turned out to the annual Shore Road Gazebo Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 30 for a taste of holiday cheer.

One Ridge father who attended the event for the first time this year with his 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter said that his kids enjoyed the festivities, which also featured hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus himself.

“It was festive, and the kids enjoyed it,” said Kai Yan of his children, Caiden and Emilie.

Santa handed out stuffed reindeers to the Ridge kids in attendance to lighten his load before he makes his world chimney tour on Dec. 25. And older children from both Xaverian High School and the Guild for Exceptional Children showed off their pipes when they performed classic Christmas carols.

The office of state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) hosted the event, and the Shore Road Parks Conservancy and the Parks Department lent their support to it as well.