We’ve all heard of Santa arriving via reindeer-drawn sleigh, but when was the last time you saw Santa come to town atop a fire truck?
This weekend, Dec. 7 to 9, the annual Santa parade and Victorian Holiday Weekend in and around downtown Ballston Spa will feature everything from the small-town, old-fashioned flavor of the holidays to the glitz and excitement of blaring fire trucks with people waving and tossing candy canes onto the sidewalks. Sponsored by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA), the annual event draws hundreds to the downtown business district for street corner caroling, the high school band playing tunes in Wiswall Park, bake sales with hot chocolate, photos with Santa, a tree festival, a parade and the official lighting of the village tree. Churches will host indoor choral performances and holiday shows, offering a brief respite from the seasonal weather.
If history repeats itself, Friday night’s parade will take place in plunging temperatures, so anyone planning to snag a prime sidewalk spot along Milton Avenue should wear double layers of mittens and earmuffs.
The smart people will bring lawn chairs and fleece lap blankets, said village Mayor John Romano. `The town board marches in the parade, so we stay warm by keeping moving.`
The very popular Santa parade features holiday floats, musicians, dogs wearing reindeer antlers, the candy-throwing firefighters, vintage cars, and local officials braving the cold wearing business suits. The parade kicks off at about 6:45 p.m. Friday at the former South Street School, now Reserve America, on the northern end of town, proceeding down Milton Avenue (Route 50) onto West High Street, onto Bath Street to Wiswall Park. The village tree will be lit in the park around 8:15 p.m.
`This is an event families have brought their children to every year for as long as they can remember,` said BSBPA spokesperson Ellen Mattola. `It wouldn’t be the holidays without this event to get people into the spirit early.`
The First Baptist Church, 202 Milton Ave., will host the musical production `Carol’s Victorian` at 7:30 p.m. Friday, a musical stroll through nine carols written in the 1800s performed by instrumental and vocal ensembles with audience participation. Dr. Carl Waldron will coordinate the program and provide a brief narrative history of each of the carols. A dessert buffet will follow the program.
St. Mary’s School on Thompson Street will be the place for the Festival of Trees in the gymnasium from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, continuing through Sunday. The display will feature decorated trees, wreaths, garland, holiday centerpieces and gift items.
Las Mariposas Language Center students invite the public to join them for the fifth annual bilingual Christmas carol, as they sing in English and Spanish at a few locations in the village. Those interested can try out their vocal cords by meeting at Las Mariposas, 2124 Route 50, at 5 p.m. for rehearsal before heading downtown.
Other Friday events
Creative Endeavors, 49 Front St., poetry readings with a seasonal theme starting at 7:30 p.m.
Whistling Kettle, 24 Front St., Brian Patneaude Duo, award winning jazz, 6 to 9 p.m.
National Bottle Museum, 76 Milton Ave., 19th and early 20th century music box collection on display, handcrafted glass gifts by American artists, free hot chocolate and homemade baked goods, 6 to 9 p.m.
Coffee Planet, 100 Milton Ave., acoustic singer/songwriter Ryan Jenson from 6 to 9 p.m.
Strolling Village Artisans, 20 Washington St., fourth annual winter festival opening reception and member show; Dave Maynard playing classical guitar, 6 to 9 p.m.
Weekend events
Shoppe, Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., quality crafted and locally made merchandise: decorative painting, candles, jewelry, baskets, jams, hot fudge sauce and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wood Road School, 100 Wood Road, fifth annual holiday craft fair sponsored by Tri-M Music Honor Society of Ballston Spa High School, with more than 50 crafters, music all day long and refreshments for sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
United Methodist Church, Milton Ave., roast beef dinner, 4 to 6:30 p.m., adults: $10, children 4-12: $5, under 4: free. Hope Church, 206 Greenfield Ave., Christmas Cantata `In the Fullness of Time,` a musical and dramatic presentation celebrating the Christmas story at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, the Festival of Trees at St. Mary’s School continues from 9 a.m. until the final close at 3 p.m.“