Each year, Gardinerites gather outside Town Hall for a Tree-Lighting Ceremony, preceded by a parade through the hamlet with a fire engine blaring carols over a loudspeaker and a performance by the students of Take the Leap Dance Company upon arrival.
This Sunday, December 8, from noon to 5 p.m. Saugerties will once again celebrate Holiday in the Village. It’ll be the culmination of a three-day seasonal village weekend.
On Friday, December 6 from 5 to 10 p.m., according to the Chamber of Commerce, Saugerties will have its First Friday Holiday Weekend Kickoff. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, will be the Village Shopping Day. And Sunday, of course, will be the parade and assorted special Holiday in the Village events.
Saturday, Dec. 7: Whereas the Dutch antecedent of this revered character employed a rather scary entourage of grumpuses to chastise naughty children with birch rods (and carry the worst ones off in a sack), our kids get to carry the branches themselves – transformed during Crowns & Branches decoration workshops into royal scepters. They’re designated kings and queens for a day, and tasked with bringing light into a dark time.
On the first two weekends of December, Phoenicia puts together the series of family-friendly holiday events that the hamlet has enjoyed annually for years, including parties, tree-lighting, theater, and caroling.
In New Paltz, the place to be for a sense of immersion in the Spirit of Christmas Past is of course Historic Huguenot Street.
Saturday, Dec. 7: Though the event has happened annually for the past 23 years, and has turned into a destination for out-of-towners, drawing some 20,000 participants last year, Hudson’s Winter Walk has prided itself from the get-go on a spirit of spontaneity.
“Theater is such a great tool. It can help you achieve amazing things,” says Nancy Owen.
After placing six wrestlers in the Section 9 Division 1 (large schools) semifinals, New Paltz — the smallest school in Division 1 — long-time coach Ryan Pullman is looking for an even better showing this season.
The Kingston High School varsity boys’ basketball team will look to defend their Section IX, Class AA title this season, one year removed from a 21-3 overall record and a first-ever visit to the state final four.
What to do when you lose to graduation the number one scorer in MHAL history…and arguably the league’s best basketball player ever?