Photos: Lake George holiday celebration fills Shepard Park with lights and music

The crowd size in Lake George Saturday evening rivaled that of the busiest summer day. Thousands gathered in Shepard Park to witness the illumination of more than 5,000 LED lights strung throughout the Village. As Mayor Robert Blais explained before launching the countdown, it takes more than one switch to light up the entire Village, and half the Village Street Department employees were stationed at points around town ready to throw a switch when the countdown reached zero.

The Annual Lake George Lite up the Village celebration has grown in size each year. Last year, officials estimated that 2,500 people attended the event. This year’s crowd appeared to be about the same size as celebrants packed the upper and lower portions of Shepard Park and stood three-deep along Canada Street for the parade. In 2016, the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department began hosting a Lighted Fire truck Holiday Parade with cash prizes offered to fire companies judged to have the best-decorated vehicle.

Bobby Dick and Susie Q brought their holiday show to the park amphitheater and children joined them on the stage for a sing-along. The entertainment included a show by balloon artist and magician Mr. Twisty. Throughout the upper park, people warmed themselves by fire pits. Youth with the Lake George Teen Center were offering hot chocolate and the Tri-County Marines were collecting toys and selling hot soup to raise funds for their “Toys for Girls and Boys” program. The Lake George Winter Carnival set up a booth in the park and was selling raffle tickets, Carnival merchandise and handing out copies of the 2019 Lake George Winter Carnival program.

The lighting of the Village was followed by a fireworks show over the beach and the Lighted Fire Truck Holiday Parade, which brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Lake George Firehouse. Following the parade, children and their families lined up to visit with Santa while the Lake George Community Band performed a free concert of holiday music in the firehouse garage.

The holiday lights will continue to glow in Shepard Park through the New Year and into February for the Winter Carnival Season.