An annual Christmas celebration at New Century in the town of Deerpark, New York, featured traditional sled riding, light tunnels, holiday crafts, pictures with Santa Claus, and a Christmas carol sing-along.

“It is perfect for my 4-year-old daughter,” said Amanda Murray, a longtime Deerpark resident who lives minutes away from New Century on state Route 209.

“It is not very overwhelming or super loud; it is calm and relaxing, and there is still a lot for her to do. Her favorite was to sing the Christmas carols.”

The second annual Christmas event took place in the afternoons on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at New Century, which is regionally known for hosting family friendly, tradition-themed events year-round, including the signature Moon Festival every fall.

New Century event organizer Jin Pang told The Epoch Times: “It is a wonderful time of the year for sharing and giving. We invite the community to come and celebrate Christmas together.”

On Dec. 7, Deerpark councilman Robert Whitney and town clerk Florence Santini lit up Christmas trees along with other holiday-themed decorations and a light tunnel.

“It is nice to be here, and it is beautiful,” Deepark town supervisor Gary Spears told The Epoch Times. “We are going to walk around and see all the sights.”

Next to the light tunnel was a big tent around which food vendors were stationed, including freshly prepared Japanese ramen, Taiwanese rice bowls, traditional Chinese soup, Xinjiang-style meat skews, and gyros.

Marina Colon, a Bloomingburg resident who attended the event as a vendor along with her mother selling tumblers and handmade stuffed animals, said her favorite food was the gyros.

She told The Epoch Times that she is looking forward to returning to New Century next fall for the Moon Festival.

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

Most non-food vendors were located on the first floor inside a centrally located building at New Century while on the second level of the building, back-to-back sessions of Christmas songs, photos with Santa, and holiday-themed dances took place.

This was the second year that Matt Tullar, an Otisville resident and semi-retired handyman, played Santa Claus at New Century, and he said he was increasingly enjoying the role.

“You maintain a good attitude, be upbeat, and say ‘Merry Christmas’ a lot,” he told The Epoch Times, “You smile, engage little kids, and ask them, ‘Have you been good this year?’”

Tullar said that he has been giving more thought to the power of granting wishes lately and that one way to use it could be to gently nudge children to think of others first.

“It is something like, if you think of others first, what would you ask Santa for?” he said.

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century<span data-contrast="auto"> </span>in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century <span data-contrast="auto">i</span>n the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

The second annual Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland at New Century in the town of Deerpark, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)