For a weekend, St. Anselm’s was a real Winter Wonderland

Christmas came early at Saint Anselm’s Catholic Academy, which held its annual Winter Wonderland celebration on December 13 and 14.

The family-friendly event featured a traditional Christmas Village in the gym at the school, 83rd Street and Fourth Avenue. Patrons were able to shop at the Christmas boutiques and additionally, all children who attended received a toy and enjoyed crafts and carnival games. Even Santa made several appearances for photo ops.

Since St. Anselm’s brought back the Winter Wonderland in 2010, nearly 2,000 people have attended each year, and this year was no different. The celebration not only attracted large numbers of visitors but was heavily staffed with a mixture of parents, students and participants in the youth activities program.

“Winter Wonderland is a tradition that strengthens community relations and provides an opportunity for families to enjoy and capture the spirit of Christmas,” said the Saint Anselm’s Winter Wonderland Committee.

However, the Winter Wonderland draws more than just parishioners with its two-story tree and bevy of holiday activities.

“It’s important that Winter Wonderland continues because it’s been a tradition of the parish for so long, but it also beings people together to celebrate the holiday season in a safe environment and opens its doors to the whole community,” said James McHugh, chair of the board at Saint Anselm’s Catholic Academy.

“Winter Wonderland continues to be truly a family event to celebrate the parish and the Christmas season,” concluded McHugh.

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