Caroling, cookies and Kris Kringle: Southold Historical Society welcomes Christmas season on the North Fork

Southold officially welcomed the holiday season yesterday with the Southold Historical Society’s Annual Candlelight Tour and Tree Lighting at its Maple Lane museum complex on Main Road.

The event drew a larger than usual crowd this year, perhaps due to the unseasonably warm temperature, said Southold Historical Society board president Herb Adler. “It’s a bigger crowd than any I can remember,” he said.

“It’s very special to see the whole town gathered like this,” said board member Tippy Case, who served as co-chairperson of the event with fellow board member Walter Jackson. “Lots of volunteers make this event possible,” she added. Various groups, including scout troops and the high school NJROTC, help decorate the museum buildings and volunteer to assist on the day of the event.

There were tours of the period buildings at the society’s Maple Lane museum complex — 18 buildings in all, including a schoolhouse, print shop, a working blacksmith shop, an icehouse and historic residences. Activities for kids included sack races, relay races and a tug of war, and of course a chance to visit with Jolly Old St. Nick himself in the historic Pine Neck Barn.

Caroling, cider and cookies brought out the holiday spirit in all, culminating in a countdown to the lighting of the magnificent Christmas tree on the green.

“It’s nice to see such a great turnout,” said County Legislator Al Krupski, who attended the event with his family. “This is really the start of the Christmas season on the North Fork.”