The Big Duck is all decked out for the holidays.

Suffolk County Parks Department held its annual Big Duck lighting Wednesday night, ushering in the holiday season with carols, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa Claus himself. The Riverhead Middle School Show Choir entertained the crowd with their duck-themed twists on holiday classics, such as “Jingle Big Duck.” 

Flanders Fire Department gave Santa a lift to the ceremonies on an engine. Santa picked volunteers from the audience to help him flip the giant switch and light up the Big Duck. He stuck around to hear some Christmas wishlists from the crowd. 

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Courtney Blasl

Correction: A previously published version of this story misstated the name of the event sponsor. It is the Suffolk County Parks Department, not Friends of the Big Duck.

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