The Holiday Squeeze

We are approaching what I often refer to as the “holiday squeeze.” Everything can get a bit stretched - time, wallets, energies, and even belts. We look forward to all the traditional festivities and delivering the perfect gift to everyone on our list. The next few weeks can make us a bit anxious as we attempt to squeeze everything in. During this season we also want to be a little self-indulgent. It is the holidays after all. We crave the lights, the music, the company of family, friends and neighbors and the tasty confections of the season. How can we possibly do it all?   

We are in luck! This year’s holiday season is all taken care of in one nicely gift-wrapped package. The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce has put together a holiday recipe for a less stressful, yet fulfilling, holiday season: the 5th Annual North Country Christmas Celebration. This collection of holiday activities and events will satisfy all your holiday wishes: to experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and magic of the season while realizing the pleasure of giving. You only need to participate and enjoy. The celebration extends over ten days and is packed with a wide variety of options that will simultaneously have you giving and receiving.

The Logic of Local

Festivities begin on Friday, November 28th with Black Friday Shopping. The North Country Christmas Celebration suggests you tackle your Christmas Shopping List in the Ticonderoga Area where local businesses are offering a myriad of holiday specials. How does this really help you to both give and receive simultaneously you may wonder? If you need some convincing, let’s look at a few realities:

• Sales tax revenues return to our communities to support our highways, recreational parks, municipal services, etc., meaning less property taxes for you and a better place to live for you and your family
• Local businesses provide jobs for many of your family members, friends and neighbors
• Local stores are more apt to carry locally produced goods - products produced by you, your family, or your neighbor
• The creativity of independent businesses brings a unique vibrancy to the community creating an interesting destination for visitors
• Local merchants spend their profits locally. (They eat, heat their homes, and fill their gas tanks too.)
• By not traveling miles to shop, you just saved time, gas money, and reduced your carbon footprint. You are investing in your and your family’s future by helping to sustain business and create a very healthy and stable community

TACC’s collection of “GIFTS” for both you and your community continues for the next 9 days!

Saturday, November 29th look for:

• Small Business Saturday. Look for the Shop Small Signs at area merchants. The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce has a complete listing of business promotions and specials.
• From 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM you can shop local vendors for handmade products and crafts at the EMA Annual Craft Fair.
• Head for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train at 3:00 PM where you can indulge yourself with a visual and entertaining holiday treat. Bring a donation to give to the Food Pantry to feel extra good about it. The train will be traveling north for an appearance in Port Henry at 4:45 PM.  

The Celebration Continues

Sunday, November 30th enjoy:

• the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30 PM at the Ticonderoga Community Building.  This traditional treat will also feature live musical entertainment with Joe McGinness. 
• Take a Holiday Hay Ride up Montcalm Street from the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Monday, December 1st join in the fun:

• Learn How to Create Your Own Holiday Centerpiece at the Country Florist and Gifts beginning at 4:00 PM. Here you can absorb the holiday ambience while indulging your creative spirit, maybe you'll even create a fantastic gift at the same time.

Tuesday, December 2nd is the:

• Family Holiday Book Reading at the Black Watch Memorial Library from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The entire family is welcome to attend and children are encouraged to come in their pajamas.  Seeing the holiday excitement and wonder on the youngsters’ faces is an added bonus. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Wednesday, December 3rd is sweet when:

• Sugar and Spice Country Shoppe will host Letters to Santa and Wish List Night from 5:00-7:00 PM. Children can make their wish list and write a letter to Santa which will be mailed out. Check out the kids section and the holiday items! Wish lists will be copied and available at the Shoppe for parents. Parents will receive a 25% Off Coupon for one item from your child’s wish list. Refreshments will be served. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, December 4th is the:

• 4th of July in December Chicken BBQ at the Knights of Columbus Ticonderoga, starting at 5:00 PM. Take out is available. $12 per person.  
• From 6:30-8:30 PM you can attend Sample Our Holiday Pairings, a joint function of Ticonderoga Arts & Libby’s Bakery Café, at The Downtown Gallery from 6:30-8:30 PM. Here you can sample their Holiday Pairings. Light appetizers, sweet treats, drinks, art from local artists, and music will all help spread the cheer at The Downtown Gallery on Montcalm Street.

 

Friday, December 5th is the:

• Holiday Shopping & Dining Night-Shop & Dine Local - Participating businesses are open until 9:00 PM and will offer specials and promotions. All participating businesses will have a Snowflake displayed. For a complete list of participating businesses contact the Chamber office or see the ad in the Times of Ti. A business directory for the evening will be published. The Chamber office will be open until 9:00 PM. In addition FREE Raffles throughout Downtown Ticonderoga will be offered in coordination with TMSP. Live Christmas Music throughout Town will be provided by the Ticonderoga Central School Music Department. Look for more details to be announced.
• Also Horse Drawn Holiday Wagon Rides will depart from the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum from  6:00 - 8:00 PM
• Museum & Arts Co-Op Holiday Gift Shop featuring the Ticonderoga Historical Society, Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, Ticonderoga Arts & Fort Ticonderoga Gift Shops. Carillion Garden Club holiday wreaths will also be available at the Hancock House from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  While there be sure to check out the Festival of Trees. 

Saturday, December 6th bundle up for:

• the Holiday Movie Theater Night will take place at the Best Western Plus Ticonderoga at 5:00 PM, brought to you by the Ticonderoga Festival Guild. Wear pajamas and bring a blanket! The movie Frozen will be projected onto a large screen. Pizza, Hot Chocolate, & Soda will be available. A short lesson on ice mining will be presented prior to the start of the movie. Free movie & popcorn for all! Donations for the Tiny Tim Program will be accepted. Proceeds of food sales go to benefit the Ticonderoga Festival Guild and the Tiny Tim Program. Enter to win your own copy of the movie Frozen when you make a donation. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Museum & Arts Co-Op Holiday Gift Shop at the Hancock House from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Featuring the Ticonderoga Historical Society, Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, Ticonderoga Arts & Fort Ticonderoga Gift Shops. Carillion Garden Club holiday wreaths will also be available at the Hancock House.

• The Noble Train Begins - Living History Event at Fort Ticonderoga from 10:00 PM until 4:00 PM. You can indulge and quench your knowledge for history while you discover the story of Henry Knox’s “Noble Train” of artillery at this living history event. The event will feature a lively program highlighting Henry Knox’s arrival to Ticonderoga. For additional information contact Fort Ticonderoga.
• Holiday In Hague starting at 10:00 AM will feature shopping, Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, and a Christmas Party with snacks and crafts.                          

 

Sunday, December 7th is the:

• TACC Annual SantaFest at the Ticonderoga Community Building from 11:00 until 1:00 PM. All are welcome! Free! Music, Games, Crafts, Photos with Santa & More! In coordination with Silver Bay YMCA Leaders Club, Glens Falls National Bank, Patrick Ida, CPA, Nancy Frasier Photography, & Kiwanis. Complimentary refreshments will be sponsored by Wal-Mart & McDonalds. And there will be special guest appearances by Frosty the Snowman and his reindeer friend. Ti Arts at The Downtown Gallery will offer a chance for children to make a Christmas gift to share with a loved one. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Festival of Trees Open House at the Hancock House from 1:00 until 3:00 PM. (You won’t believe these trees!)
• Champlain Valley Chorale Holiday Concert at the Ticonderoga Methodist Church beginning at 3:00 PM. Refreshments will be provided by the Carillion Garden Club. 

    

                            

“This 5th Annual North Country Christmas Celebration embraces all aspects of our community during the wonderful holiday season,” said Matt Courtright, TACC’s Executive Director. “Celebration activities and events are scattered throughout our community to show our support for all local merchants, businesses, and organizations.”  

There you have it - all your holiday concerns and desires addressed. TACC’s North Country Christmas Celebration has put it all together for you and your family. You only need participate. You will be giving to your community, friends, neighbors, and loved ones while receiving the true traditional gifts of the holiday season. Let the festivities begin! 

Now that you've got your events picked out, plan a Lake Champlain getaway and browse lodging along the Adirondack Coast.