The Festival of Lights

Over the past weekend Millerton’s community celebrated another Festival of Lights during the Thanksgiving holiday. Like a magnet drawing townspeople and visitors to the center of the Village, the yearly event once again became a unifying experience. The daylong activities served to entertain people of all ages — from toddlers hermetically wrapped in winter coats and hats and blankets to senior citizens cautiously navigating the sidewalk after dark, some with adult children and grandchildren on their flank.

The chatter in Veterans Park, in the coffee house, in the shops, at the Oakhurst Diner and pretty much anywhere people congregated was an affirmation of our values, traditions and local pride. Main Street was lighted up, spreading a holiday glow as paradegoers lined sidewalks and spaces between parked cars to get a “best position” to watch the fire trucks, antique cars, ATVs and floats pass by. 

The Festival of Lights is a cultural gem for the Village — an annual ritual allowing us to celebrate something together in a festive setting. Families and friends stood in the cold night, sharing the anticipation. Strangers shared conversation as everyone waited for the Big Tree to be lighted, marking the start of the cavalcade of parade vehicles. 

The Festival of Lights is plain, old-fashioned fun. For children, it rains candy. Treats are tossed from big red fire engines bedecked in lights and inflatable Santas and snowmen, sirens blaring. Not to mention that Mr. and Mrs. Claus make their appearance.

Festivals bring everyone together. Fire companies from all around join in the celebration. And together, we have unity and common purpose.  Seeing the Millerton Police Department, led by Chief Joe Olenik, managing traffic at Main and Dutchess, waving pedestrians to and fro, was more evidence that the weekend events had created a buzz in town. And in Veterans Park,  the Salisbury Brass Band played on... 

The steady stream of strollers through the afternoon boosted sales on the Black Friday, though such a sense of commercial frenzy didn’t hang in the air. Festivals in general typically are known to result in a positive economic impact. We salute the businesses and organizations that sponsored the Festival of Lights. They are: The Moviehouse, Millerton Business Alliance, North East Ford, Millerton Fire Company, NBT Bank, BES Shop, Designer Finds of Millerton, Montage Antiques, Moore and More Printing, the North East Community Center, NorthEast-Millerton Library and Stonefield Properties. 

The Festival of Lights instructs us once again that we are all neighbors. That we share something important, and that is pride in Millerton — and belonging here.

Afterward, walking back home, or back in their warm cars, the parade-goers are homeward bound, filled with a good mix of communual spirit, unity and pride — all thanks to those who keep the Festival of Lights tradition alive.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less