By Khalida Sarwari
The energy at Saratoga’s tree lighting and wine stroll the day after Thanksgiving was palpable throughout the Village, where hundreds of people flocked to walk off the previous day’s dinner and usher in the wintertime festivities.
Longtime Saratoga resident Laurel Perusa helped put together the city’s popular Dickens-themed holiday event, which took place the evening of Nov. 27.
“It was a fabulous event,” said Perusa. “It was cold and crisp, but that put everybody in the holiday spirit.”
Things got underway early on with a wine stroll and a welcome from Mayor Howard Miller.
Twenty local wineries participated by pouring wine that they served with sweet and savory snacks.
Among the highlights of the night was the ceremonial tree lighting. Throughout the evening, revelers waited their turn for horse-drawn carriage rides, while little ones were preoccupied in a bounce house and cookie-decorating activity in the children’s fun zone. Carolers and people dressed in Dickensian costumes greeted folks, and Jack and Sue Mallory entertained and amused in their Father and Mother Christmas costumes.
“They both had beautiful robes,” Perusa said of the couple. “They looked very regal.”
The Chamber of Commerce held a window-decorating contest in the Village in which the Barn Owl came in first place while the museum, Vine Life, the Fat Robin and the Bank also earned kudos for their windows.
Holiday music wafted throughout Blaney Plaza, which that evening was lined with decorated trees and brightly lit windows. Among the performers there were Matt Masih, Rodrigo Teague and Whiskey Pass Neat. A handbell choir from Saratoga Federated Church also performed.
Staff at the Saratoga History Museum passed out hot cider and cookies to people dropping by to check out “Home for the Holidays,” a new exhibit that features December and January holiday traditions from around the world. The exhibit can be seen from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday until Jan. 31.
The 14th annual event was sponsored by the city in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.
Link: Tree lighting, wine stroll kicks off the holiday season in downtown Saratoga
