Could you have a Winter Extravaganza in the spring or summer? It would be nice to try it in the warmer weather.
It was cold on Dec. 7 as the Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual event for a second time. The middle school Select Chorus went caroling up and down Main Street. As they walked, two of the girls hugged one another in an effort to stay warm.
Although the temperature hovered around freezing, and the wind made it feel colder, the nip in the air didn’t discourage anyone. The middle schoolers stayed until after five o’clock to sing at the tree-lighting ceremony.
And they weren’t the only ones to provide holiday music. A few dozen youngsters hiked up Main Street from the Girl Scout Cabin, and stopped to serenade the public in front of Butterhill Day School.
Pastor Stephen Racite of the Cornwall Baptist Church led a group of singers in front of Creative Gifts and More. The carolers stopped now and then to wave to the people on the horse and carriage ride.
It was rumored that the passengers stayed warm, because the sides of the carriage blocked the wind. That was probably true, because the carriage was always filled. The horses sauntered from the circle to Willow Avenue, and waited patiently as people got off and a new crowd climbed aboard.
The rides were one-way, which encouraged people to walk back to the starting point. Along the way, they could get refreshments at a few locations. The people at the day school served cookies and chocolates on their porch. They had to rotate the selection, because some of the goodies started to freeze. Hot chocolate was popular.
Randy Clark had a fire going outside his financial services office. Passers by were welcome to toast marshmallows or make s’mores. Inside, there was an assortment of food for the less hardy visitors.
Angel Delacruz of Fresh Cuts displayed skills that went beyond barbering. He stood outside his shop and offered sausage and pepper sandwiches to hungry pedestrians. Several walkers brought cameras. So did the judges in the decorating contest. They photographed each entry and then huddled in the front room of Randy Clark’s office and made their decision. None of them bothered to remove their coats. They were still cold.
At five o’clock, a mob appeared at the Highland Engine Company fire house for the tree lighting, refreshments and the arrival of Santa Claus. Rich and Maggie Massimi had the honor of throwing the switch.
A few minutes later, Santa arrived on a fire truck, and the middle school band entertained the guests for the rest of the night.
In the Village
There was a little less fanfare in Cornwall-on-Hudson.
Attendance in front of the bandstand was sparse with about 15 minutes to spare before the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting. As the time passed, the crowd ballooned to about 100 people.
Children ran around to keep warm until Mayor Brendan Coyne invited them to the front to join in two Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”
Then the children were called upon for one last task. Coyne requested they count down from 10 leading to the lighting of the evergreen tree next to the bandstand.
The singing of “O Christmas Tree” was to follow the lighting, but the volunteer chorus managed to utter only the first few words before sirens could be heard in the distance.
Children shouted, “Santa’s coming,” as they rushed to the sidewalk to witness the passing firetruck with jolly St. Nick riding atop. The chorus quickly changed its tune to “Santa Claus is coming to Town.”
Parents rushed their children to Storm King Engine Company to get out of the cold. A line quickly formed to see Santa, who greeted each child and asked what they wanted for Christmas. Some of the kids even had letters to give to Santa.
The Ladies Auxiliary had tables of refreshments including candy, homemade cookies, and hot beverages.
DECORATING WINNERS
Joseph Dvash, Eileen Hartmann, Bob LaPolla and Dan Mahoney judged the Main Street Decorating Contest.
Chamber President Rich Massimi read the list of winners before lighting the tree at the circle. There were four categories.
The best window display: Smitchger Realty (first), J. Ferrara Photography (runner up)
Most creative use of lights and decorations: Prima Pizza (first), Bodies in Balance (runnerup)
Best overall design: Merritt Florist
Most festive award: Butterhill Day School