For more than two decades, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has brought a crowd to Shepard Park to usher in the holiday season. The event has grown in size and scope over the years and now several thousand attend to sing holiday songs, “ooh” and “ahh” over fireworks and cheer on the parade of holiday-decorated fire trucks and floats.
With the flip of a switch, the nighttime park is transformed into a dazzling display of colorful holiday lights, and Santa travels up Canada Street on a fire engine to greet the children. According to a Village press release, the Lake George “Lite up the Village” 2019 celebration may be the biggest one yet.
“Lite Up the Village” 2019 begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 in Shepard Park with horse-drawn carriage rides and a variety of refreshments available. Sing-along with Bobbie Dick & Susie Q begins at 5 p.m.
New for “Lite Up The Village” 2019 is the addition of an Ugly Sweater Contest, which will be held at the Shepard Park Amphitheatre during the Bobby Dick & Suzie Q show. Judges will award the wearer of the ugliest sweater with a $250 prize, and they will have trophies for the runner-ups.
The lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. As ceremonies go, this one is brief, usually a few remarks by a local official and a countdown to the lighting of the Village. Then, the flip of a few switches by Village employees illuminates Shepard Park and Blais Park. Immediately following the lighting, fireworks will shoot off over Lake George, and the Fire Truck Holiday Light Parade will begin traveling up Canada Street past the park and turning up Amherst to deliver Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Lake George Firehouse on Ottawa Street.
Children may then visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the firehouse. The Ladies Auxiliary will be providing free refreshments, and the Lake George Community Band will perform holiday favorites.
Several area fire companies participate in the Fire Truck Holiday Light Parade and compete with each other to win cash prizes for the best-decorated trucks. Last year, Bay Ridge Fire Company won the top parade award. A cash prize is also awarded to the best business or non-profit float entered in the parade. Parade prizes are awarded at the American Legion Post on Route 9L following the parade.
At this time of year, visitors may park free of charge on Village Streets and in public parking lots.