Millerton knows how to do the holidays right

MILLERTON — There’s no question about it, the holidays are special in the village of Millerton. For the past three years, different businesses and organizations in the town and village have joined together to make the season merry. This year, the festivities are being held in and around the village center on Friday, Nov. 25.

“There will be the tree lighting, which is the highlight, the parade, which is always delightful to watch and participate in, and the movie, and everybody loves the movie ‘Home Alone,’” said Millerton Business Association leader Dick Hermans. “Hopefully it will be a lively day. We’re ordering good weather, that would be nice. For our store, it’s always really one of the busiest days of the year, so I look forward to that. But it’s always nice to have this other stuff going on and everybody having a great day.”

Hermans, who owns Oblong Books and Music on Main Street, said the event wouldn’t exist without the efforts of Moviehouse  owners Carol and Robert Sadlon, the fire department and Townscape, a community betterment group.

“Hundreds come,” said Hermans. “I lose count early on in the day.

“I think this year, maybe more than ever, we need it. Some weird stuff is happening in our society,” he added. “I think there’s a need for people to come together and realize we all have a common purpose to live together in harmony, and that’s what the holiday season is about for those of us who want that outcome. I just think it’s important that we all see each other as equal.”

Those sentiments were shared by others behind the holiday event. The goal, most agreed, is not just to have a successful Black Friday — it’s to make sure that sense of community and togetherness is shared by everyone who makes Millerton a destination.

“It’s just exciting,” said Carol Sadlon, “because everybody is doing wonderful things. Just working together is a good thing.”

That sense of togetherness, she said, will hopefully linger long after the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Just spreading the holiday cheer, welcoming all the visitors to our community, and having the community look beautiful and festive is exciting,” Sadlon said.

Behind those beautification efforts is Townscape, led by President Jeanne Vanecko.

“Townscape is responsible for all the lights on the trees and the little trees in Veterans Park and the trees at Gilmor Glass,” she said, adding that more lights have been added by Townscape with each passing year. 

This year, Townscape ran a campaign to solicit donations to help pay for the trees and lights. It has to bring in professionals to do the job, which costs about $11,000 each year. It was able to raise $5,000 to go toward that cost for the next five years.

“We had a great response to that fundraiser this fall,” she said, adding more fundraising is still necessary.

The goal, Vanecko said, is to make Millerton a holiday haven.

“One of the missions we feel we have is to make the village attractive,” she said, something Townscape does all year long. “It helps the merchants, and helps the people feel more like a community … and that includes everybody, not just on portion of the population. All you have to do is walk down Main Street to enjoy the lights, it doesn’t matter who you are, and I think that’s good for all of us.”

At 10 a.m., there will be a free screening of “Home Alone” at The Moviehouse, at 48 Main Street. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be children’s activities at the Millerton Farmers Market at the Methodist Church, at the corner of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Black Friday Book Giveaway will be held at Veterans Park. The library will be handing out free books.

Starting at noon, there will be free horse and carriage rides throughout the village, departing from The Moviehouse.

At 5 p.m., the Christmas tree in the center of town will be lit by Mayor Marty Markonic.

At 5:30 p.m., the Parade of Lights will kick off, sponsored by the Millerton Fire Company.

After the parade, Santa and his helpers will return to the firehouse to greet children and take photos.

All day, a live brass band will play holiday tunes. Also, certain merchants will be serving free hot chocolate, cider and wine for shoppers to enjoy.