A take on Disney’s Imagineers, Waterdrinker Family Farm in Manorville has coined their own version of creative inventors: “Water-Thinkers.”
“You really have to start with some wacky ideas,” said owner Marc Weiss, who came up with the name for his employees in charge of holiday productions at the farm. “Pretty sure that’s how my mom did it when coming up with constructs for the Spooky Walk.”
The Camp Paquatuck Spooky Walk, which is in its 35th year, is organized by his mother, Marcella Weiss. He attributes a lot of the farm’s entertainment attractions to trying out versions at the Camp Paquatuck fundraisers.
Also, according to Marc’s aunt and uncle Audrey and Wayne Weiss, in order to come up with the creative visions at the farm, just as Marcella does, they repurpose everything, even what can be found at the side of the road, including sunflower crates, a fireplace, poles, and even lights.
“In the spirit of farmers, [we] repurpose everything,” said Audrey. “That’s part of the creative fun!”
For example, Wayne said when his son Doug (who now helps take care of the animals) got an old Plymouth, their first thought was to pay homage to the movie “A Christmas Story,” complete with a Red Ryder, bunny suit, and leg lamp in their own backyard—soon, bringing it to the farm.
“People love nostalgia,” Wayne said. “We love that movie, and made it come alive on the farm!”
All of the farm’s display attractions tie into the rest of the farm, including the on-site Airstreams, ‘70s-era art deco—which the Weisses say bring guests back to a “simpler time.”
Though the “A Christmas Story” theme was one of the first brought to the farm, there now is a whole village of Airstreams decorated.
And now, when they hire new employees, Brittney Weiss, Marc’s wife, who is also an artist, said they love when they say they like to paint!
“We get them going on everything from simple blackboard signs in the Gift Barn, to elaborate, giant outdoor displays,” she said.
For example, employee Sierra Seidler, who just graduated from SUNY, Stony Brook with a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature and started on the farm about three years ago, loves getting artistic.
“Pretty sure I have been in costumes about a dozen times—many of which I created!” she said of being one of the “Water-Thinkers.”
This year, Seidler is working on a more significant project for Holiday 2024: the Alpine Village, with crafts, candy, and a cozy-Christmas market!
Also, another “Water-Thinker,” James Garvey, manages the North Fork Waterdrinker Farm in Riverhead, but makes camp in Manorville for the 31-day holiday season. Garvey is a graduate of culinary school in New Brunswick and is also a carpenter.
“I feel like there are so many opportunities to use our skills here at Waterdrinker,” he said. “Marc lets us run with ideas. We put up tens of thousands of Christmas lights here, and the ideas just keep on coming!”
So, what’s new for this year’s Winter Wonderland? Whoville and the Grinch’s Lair.
“Christmas is magical, and should be,” Audrey added. “If we can give just a little of that to kids (and all, we are as adults—are big kids!), then that is a merry holiday season. We all could use an extra dose of merry!”
Winter Wonderland will take place through Dec. 23, open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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