Lake George will usher in the holiday season Saturday, Nov. 24, with the 21th Annual Lite Up the Village celebration. Village employees have been stringing thousands of colored lights throughout Shepard Park in preparation for the event, which drew a record crowd of more than 2,500 last year. The celebration begins at 3:30 p.m. in Shepard Park.
Lite up the Village includes pony rides for the kids, firepits throughout the park and refreshments including hot chocolate and fresh-made cider doughnuts. Bobbie Dick and Susie Q are bringing their holiday show to the Shepard Park stage and Mr. Twisty will perform comedy and magic.
The entertainment will wrap up shortly after 6 p.m. with a countdown leading to the illumination of lights throughout the park, along Canada Street and in Blais Park on Beach Road. A fireworks show over the lake will immediately follow as a parade of lighted fire trucks and floats proceeds up Canada Street to Shepard Park.
The Fire Truck Holiday Light Parade is hosted by the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department. Area fire companies have decked out their emergency vehicles with lights and holiday-themed items to compete for cash prizes. This year, the parade has expanded to include floats sponsored by local businesses.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring up the rear of the parade, which will pass the park and travel west on Amherst to the Lake George Firehouse on Ottawa Street. After the parade, children may visit with Santa at the firehouse where the Lake George Community Band will perform a concert of holiday favorite.
Several not-for-profit organizations will be participating in the celebration including the Lake George Winter Carnival, Lake George Teen Center, the Columbiettes and the Lake George Fire Company Ladies Auxilary. The Tri-County Marines will be collecting for the “Toys for Girls and Boys” program, with Bob Merchant of Backstreet BBQ leading up the Lake George toy drive.
Attendance to the Lake George Lite up the Village is free. Organizers ask that families bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Toys for Girls and Boys program. The lights will remain glowing through the holiday season into February’s Winter Carnival season.