Seaford rings in the holidays

Vendors, food trucks turn LIRR parking lot into festive market

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There were winter-themed trinkets, hot cocoa and lot of spirited Seafordites at the first-ever Seaford holiday market last Saturday, where more than 100 residents turned out to prepare for the holiday season.

Dozens of vendors lined the Long Island Rail Road station parking lot on Sunrise Highway, to offer their goodies to prospective shoppers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., while food trucks prepared meals until 8 p.m. The event, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, emulated the success of Seaford Saturday Nights, which the chamber has set up since 2019. 

“It’s been a big hit so far,” chamber member Donna Jebaily said at the market. “We started with the Seaford Maker’s Markets over the summer, and people got word of it and wanted to do a holiday market, so here we are with 56 vendors today.”

The holiday market vendors, some of whom came from as far away as Manhattan, were eager to return, Jebaily added. “We had a lot of people that heard about it that wanted to be involved,” she said, “so we reached out, and we have an amazing turnout.”

From Seaford-themed attire, such as shirts and sweatpants showing school spirit, to homemade wood crafts and candles, there was something for everyone. Many used the market as an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and look around with friends, including Karen Frongillo, of Seaford. Frongillo, who was accompanied by her two daughters, made some purchases.

“I wanted to come and check out the local vendors and support local craftspeople,” Frongillo said. “These events show a lot of community spirit.”

Some vendors, like Ann Torcivia, from Levittown, use events like this one to raise money for charities and nonprofit organizations. Torcivia’s Joey Foundation raises money to positively impact children.

Torcivia created the Joey Foundation in 2014 in memory of her son, who died in 2000, at age 6, of aplastic anemia, a rare disease in which bone marrow no longer produces enough blood cells. “Now we give toys away on a bigger scale,” Torcivia said. “We’re gearing up to give almost 1,000 needy children toys for Christmas.”

The food trucks were a big hit. “The food trucks are what really made me stop by,” said Jill McAvoy from Merrick. “But I wound up getting some nice gifts. It’s close to Christmastime, so I have Christmas on my mind, and I liked that this was outdoors.”

Mcavoy, a member of the Merrick Kiwanis Club, said she would love to see her community host an outdoor market. “This is good for the communities and helps small businesses make some money,” she said. “I’m going to take this idea and bring it to my Kiwanis club.”

After the market, the chamber hosted a drive-in-movie showing of “Elf” in the parking lot. Some 50 vehicles full of family members and friends enjoyed the free movie, the first ever hosted by the chamber, Jebaily said. The chamber may consider bringing a drive-in series to town next year.

“I think the community really loves it,” Jebaily said. “It gives them a sense of community . . . and it makes Seaford an even better place.”

Seasonal festivities will continue this week, when the chamber will begin hanging snowflake decorations along Merrick Road.