Growing up in Schroon Lake, one of my favorite times of the year was Christmas. The local stores and homes would begin to sparkle with holiday lights and decorations, and if we were lucky snow would begin to fall and it would feel like a winter wonderland. Holiday parties kicked-off, holiday traditions were shared, and great memories were made with family and friends. This year will be no exception as our local businesses and organizations begin to prepare their period costumes and decorate their shops and homes…
Celebrating 30 Years of Tradition
On Saturday, December 12, the Town of Schroon Lake will celebrate its 30th Annual Old Tyme Christmas with a day packed full of awesome events for families and individuals. The Schroon Lake Community Church will kick off the festivities with their annual Christmas Bazaar at 10am. The Bazaar will include Granny’s Attic: Gently Used and New Sale Items, Bake Sale, and a Soup & Sandwich Luncheon until 2pm.
For your holiday dessert purchases, make sure you stop by the North Woods Bread Company to participate in their Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce fundraiser between 10am – 3pm and check out the selection of holiday treats that will tease and tantalize your palette. All proceeds from the purchase of holiday treats will benefit the Chamber. Dont forget to purchase your artisan bread for the weekend!
Take a chance
If you love raffles, you are going to want to head to the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and purchase raffle tickets for the Annual Holiday Basket Raffle from 11am to 7pm. The Holiday Baskets include a wide variety of items such as gift certificates to local businesses, gift baskets with product from various businesses, and much more. The Holiday Baskets are donated by local businesses and individuals and all proceeds from the Basket Raffles are used to help make holiday wishes come true for many of our local children. The drawing for the Basket Raffles will begin at 7pm, and you do not have to be present to win. While at the Schroon Lake Chamber, don’t forget to visit the Friends of the Library table and purchase your last minute raffle tickets for their beautiful quilt. Drawing for the quilt winner will also be held at 7pm.
Photo credit: Angel Wings Photography
Homemade and original
Now I don’t know about anyone else, but I love local arts and crafts and I won’t be missing this year’s Arts and Crafts Show which will be held at the Schroon Lake Town Hall meeting room from 2pm-7pm. There will be a wide variety of vendors selling their arts and crafts for your holiday shopping needs.
A little night light
After spending the afternoon shopping and dining, you will want to tuck your packages away in the trunk of your car and head out to meet everyone at the town park. The evening events kick-off at Fountain Park at 5:30pm with the Annual Tree Lighting and some good ole fashioned caroling. I have to say the tree lighting is one of my favorite events of the day. Watching the children’s eyes grow large and light up with excitement is worth its weight in gold.
At the conclusion of the town tree lighting the celebration moves north with a traditional Nativity Procession to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church located on North Main Street for a Gospel Reading at the Manger and the lighting of the Memory Tree at the Schroon Lake Senior Citizen Center.
Here comes...
Photo credit: Angel Wings Photography
Excitement keeps building as the children anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. You can feel the energy in the air, the children are pulling on their parents sleeves asking “When is Santa going to be here?” and/or “Is he coming soon?” And then we hear the big roar of the engine, and we see the lights on the big red truck coming down the street. Yep…you read it right… Santa arrives in Schroon Lake on a BIG RED FIRE TRUCK! The children’s eyes are larger than plates, with squeals of excitement and happiness splitting the air. They have tried to be good girls and boys throughout the year so that they can see Santa on this special night.
Santa’s fire truck pulls up to the Strand Theater and the children follow him into the theater where they will sit upon his lap and share their wishes and dreams with him. To top off their experience, Santa gives each and everyone of them a special little gift.
After visiting with Santa the children are invited to attend two events: one at the Senior Citizen Center which includes coloring, cocoa, and cookies from 6pm to 8pm, and the other at the Glens Falls National Bank for craft making, popcorn, and balloons from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Photo credit: Giant Mountain Studio
Fun for all ages!
Now the magic doesn’t end there, I know at some point between 6pm & 8pm I will be heading down to the Schroon Lake Town Hall to take a magical horse and wagon ride! What a romantic way to end the evening - taking a spin around town, hearing the jingle of the harness, and feeling the cool brisk December air on your face. When you are ready to warm up after, you should make your way to the Schroon Lake Community Church or the Towne Store for some musical performances between 6pm and 8pm.
So much to do, so much to see, and while you are out don’t forget to do your holiday shopping at our local stores such as the Giant Mountain Studio, The Town Store, Schroon Lake Pharmacy, Pine Cone Mercantile, Paradox Brewery, North Woods Bread Company, Adirondack Buffalo Farm, Gokey’s Trading Post, Adirondack General Store and the Lazy Moose Market. Of course, while out shopping you're sure to work up an appetite, why not dine at our local restaurants - and while there, you can purchase gift certificates for that person on your list who loves to dine around town: Sticks & Stones, DeCesare’s Pizzeria, Flanagan’s Pub & Grill, Timberwolf Pub, and Pitkin’s Restaurant
