Realtors bring Santa, horse and carriage rides to Railroad Green

WARWICK - The weather for this time of year was surprising mild and families came out in record numbers to enjoy a popular and traditional holiday event in the Village Park at Railroad Green. Each year during the holiday season, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce arranges to have Santa in his sled and free horse and carriage rides, courtesy of participating realtors. Once again, on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 10, Santa was available for special requests and photos next to him in his sled. Crowds also lined up for a horse and carriage ride through downtown Warwick and everyone appeared to enjoy the event which included caroling Brownies and hot apple cider. The horse and carriage, operated by Castle Carriage Service of Poughkeepsie is actually a horse drawn omnibus wagon, equipped with seats along both sides and steps in the rear. The wagon is pulled by a team of stately black Percheron horses and can seat up to 20 passengers. Santa’s sleigh in the Village Park inspires a timely historical footnote in view of a recent controversy. In 1997, Doris Schwartzberg, whose husband Moshe was one of the businessmen instrumental in creating a holiday season display at Railroad Green, designed an all-new sleigh for Santa. Moshe Schwartzberg, owner of Forever Jewelers, offered funding and an extra pair of hands while Doug Tinnirello provided the carpentry expertise. His father, contractor John Tinnirello, by the way, had built the wooden Menorah now on display in Lewis Park. And every year, Moshe Schwartzberg officiates at the lighting of that Menorah on the first night of the Jewish celebration of Chanukah. Realtors who contributed to Santa’s visit and the free horse and carriage rides were Century 21 Peck Realty, Claudia Vaccaro Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Currier & Lazier Realtors, Country Living Real Estate, The Green Team, Mystic Valley, Inc., Prudential Rand Realty, RE/MAX Benchmark Realty Group, Regal Homes and Properties, Inc., US Preferred Realty Group, Inc. and Warwick Grove. Co-chairs for this year’s event were Lucyann Tinnirello and Dina Vaccaro.