Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, Nov 21 at 6pm

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins will join Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF), and the Westchester County Parks Department at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla on Friday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of Westchester’s Winter Wonderland and Opening Night of Novemberfest. Thanks to the event’s presenting sponsor, Westchester Medical Center Health Network, Westchester Parks Foundation will welcome a special child to help him light the tree, 5-year-old Piper Melzer from Cortlandt Manor, NY. 

Piper has been in and out of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital since she was 21 months old due to a condition called Gastroparesis, which slows or stops the movement of food from her stomach to her small intestine. Despite her condition and the placement of a GJ tube to help her body properly absorb nutrients, Piper doesn’t let anything slow her down. Piper received the nickname ‘The Mayor’ during her hospital stay, because she made friends with everyone she met.

Guests will enjoy live entertainment, free photos with Santa, a bustling Winter Market with 60+ local vendors, food trucks, and a preview of the dazzling holiday light displays featured in the drive-thru show.

Proceeds from this event benefit WPF and allow the organization to further its mission to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use and enjoyment of over 50 parks, trails and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system. For more information, visit http://www.wwinterwonderland.com.

WHEN:                      Friday, November 21

                                    6:00 p.m.  Official Opening & Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

5:00–9:00 PM – NovemberFest walk-thru experience

WHERE:                   Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla

WHO:                         Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Executive

Dr. Erika Berman Rosenzweig, Physician In Chief, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth)

                                    Piper Melzer from Cortland Manor and mom Heather Conway

Seth Mandelbaum, Chairperson, Westchester Parks Foundation

Kathleen O’Connor, Commissioner, Westchester County Parks

                                    Felix Tapia, Robison (Opening Night Sponsor)