People packed Shepard Park in Lake George Village last night for the 19th Annual Lite up the Village Celebration. The festivities began at 4 p.m. with pony rides, a petting zoo and bounce houses in the upper park. Celebrators gathered around fire pits and enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies sold by local Girl Scouts while waiting for the darkened park to light up with the thousands of LED lights that had been strung through the trees. Bobby Dick and Susie presented their Holiday Show at the amphitheater. Children in attendance were encouraged to join the duo on stage where they stood before microphones and belted out holiday tunes.
Activity in Lake George Village wasn’t confined to the park. The sidewalks along Canada Street bustled with shoppers ducking in and out of businesses along the Village’s main thoroughfare. A number of merchants were open and offering Shop Small Saturday discounts and special gift packages. On Montcalm Street, Absolute Sound was broadcasting pop holiday tunes from the stoop of The Dog Cabin sending cheerful music throughout the Village streets.
Shortly before 6 p.m., Village Mayor Robert Blais took the stage to lead the singing of We Wish You a Merry Christmas and comment on the event. “Who says there’s nothing going on in the winter in Lake George? Look at this crowd!” Mayor Blais took the opportunity to announce the launch of a fundraising drive to upgrade the Shepard Park amphitheater.
Earlier in the week, the Village announced it had received a $25,000 grant from the Charles R. Wood Foundation to expand seating, install a new sound system and improve the stage and lighting of the amphitheater, which hosted over 70 events this past year. The Wood Foundation also offered an additional challenge grant of $25,000 to match funds raised by the Village. “We built this stage 20 years ago with $50,000 raised right here on this stage one summer, so we’re going to do it again,” said Blais.
The Mayor’s speech was followed by a countdown that ended in a burst of fireworks over the lake and the lighting of trees throughout the park. New for Lite up the Village 2016, a parade of fire trucks, emergency vehicles and floats, festooned with strings of holiday lights, escorted Santa and Mrs. Claus up Canada Street. The parade proceeded past Shepard Park and continued to the Lake George Firehouse on Ottawa Street.
Inside the firehouse, a line of children seeking an audience with St. Nick wound around the perimeter of the firehouse garage. The Lake George Community Band, its members wearing elf hats and reindeer antlers, played traditional Christmas carols for the waiting children. The Community Band will present a full concert of holiday music Sunday, Dec. 18 in the Lake George High School Auditorium. The Holiday Concert begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free.
The lights in Shepard Park will remain lit evenings through February for the Lake George Winter Carnival.
Discover more from The Lake George Examiner
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.