The 2021 holiday season kicks off in Lake George Village on Saturday, Nov. 27 with the annual Lite up the Village celebration. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. when Bobby Dick and Susie bring songs of the season to the Shepard Park stage. In the park, children may visit with the animals at Kasey’s Cast-Away Fun Farm petting zoo. There will be fire pits to keep warm, cider donuts and Lake George Chamber of Commerce giveaways. Members of the Lake George Teen Center will be serving hot chocolate.
Bebob’s Backstreet BBQ, once again, is teaming up with local Marines to collect toys for the Toys for Boys and Girls program. Families are asked to bring an unwrapped, new toy to donate to this effort. A drop box will be set up in the park where Backstreet will be serving up soup. Those who donate a toy will be served a free cup of soup. Those who don’t have a toy may buy a cup of soup for $5. Proceeds to benefit the Toys for Boys and Girls program. If you wish to donate a toy but are unable to attend Lite up the Village, Bebob’s Backstreet BBQ at 75 Dieskau Street, Lake George, is a drop location for toys. They will be hosting the Toy Exchange ceremony on December 18, 2021.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweaters and join in the ugly sweater competition for a chance to win a $250 prize. The ugly sweater contest will be held on the Shepard Park stage at 4:45 p.m. Just before 6 p.m., Village officials and attendees will begin the countdown to Lite up the Village. More than 250,000 colorful holidays lights will glow with the flick of a switch and fireworks will explode over the lake.
Following the fireworks, the Holiday Lights Firetruck Parade will travel up Canada Street escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Lake George firehouse on Ottawa Street. More than a dozen fire companies are joining in the parade this year and competing for $1,500 in prize money given to the best-decorated trucks. Children and their families are invited to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the firehouse after the parade and enjoy holiday music performed by the Lake George Community Band.
New this year is the Holiday Festival of Lights. Businesses along Canada Street are filling their storefronts with holiday-themed lights and other decorations. Several stores will be offering special bargains and giveaways.
This is the 23rd year for the event, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Lite up the Village 2019 drew a crowd of more than 3,000 and Village officials expect 2021 to be even larger.