The hamlet of Oyster Bay is in a holiday countdown, looking forward to Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17 from noon to 5 p.m. with a bowlful of great things happening.

There is a free scavenger hunt for children and their parents as well as horse and carriage rides, both starting at Gooseberry Grove, 12 East Main Street. The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum will have a special exhibit of model trains, raffles and prizes.

The event takes place on Dec. 16 and 17 from noon to 5 p.m.

Members of the N-Trak Model Railroad Club will have at least three operating layouts in operation. This year's raffle will offer two model railroad sets courtesy of Willis Hobbies in Mineola, and Trainville Hobby Depot of Hicksville. Other items in the raffle include a financial planning session courtesy of A.G. Edwards of Smithtown, gift certificates to Fiddleheads Restaurant and Il Piato Restaurant of Oyster Bay, gift baskets, and Oyster Bay Railroad Museum prints. Raffle tickets are one dollar each and benefit the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.

Raynham Hall Museum, 20 West Main Street, is opening its doors free to children under 12, adults $4, where a special exhibit "Come Out and Play," showcases antique games, books and children's garments, largely from the Victorian era. (Note: Raynham Hall is open from 1 to 5 p.m.) Stores and restaurants are planning special promotions and a page of coupons, "Oyster Bay Bucks," will be available at participating merchants and downtown eateries. Families are encouraged to shop and dine in downtown Oyster Bay and make a day of it!

The Victorian Holiday in Downtown Oyster Bay is a result of the work of the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, Oyster Bay Main Street Association, Oyster Bay Railroad Museum and Oyster Bay Civic Association.

They are saving the best for last. The tree lighting will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4:15 p.m. as a celebration in story and song at the Derby-Hall Bandstand with Master of Ceremonies John Canning, Santa and Mrs. Claus and Supervisor John Venditto. Children are invited to sing-a-long at the bandstand and bring their parents. Free refreshments at this event will be provided by Gooseberry Grove, Periwinkles Catering, Page Two Bakery and Dunkin' Donuts.

Sponsors of the festivities include: Oyster Bay Rotary, John Specce Insurance Agency, Alex Gallego of Ryan Beck & Co., Paul Rosen of Oyster Bay Senior Campus, Passport to Historic Oyster Bay and Atlantic Steamer Fire Company. In addition, several businesses have generously donated items to "deck" the downtown with greenery and flowers; among them Dodds & Eder's Joe McLaughlin and Dorothy Simons; Tree Traditions - a division of Woodstock Estate Maintenance Ltd. and Martin Viette. Gold Coast Christmas is putting the finishing touches on the tree and the bandstand and has generously donated labor and materials to make the season extra bright. Volunteers led by Alex Gallego, Michele Browner and Muir de Guzman have worked tirelessly each weekend to clean the sidewalks and decorate the flower pots and Boy Scout Troop # 253 from Oyster Bay-East Norwich repainted the downtown kiosks as part of their community service.