TANNERSVILLE HOLIDAY STROLL

Did you know that Tannersville has the highest elevation of any mountain town in the entire state of New York? So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that the village will transform itself into a miniature North Pole on Saturday, December 7 as they celebrate the annual Tannersville Holiday Stroll.

The Holiday Stroll is Tannersville’s unofficial opening-day holiday celebration where visitors and locals alike can stroll down the town’s Main Street and encounter a variety of holiday-themed special events, give-aways, decorations and unique dining and shopping opportunities.

This year’s event promises to be larger than previous celebrations. “Tannersville has seen a higher than normal fall visitor rate this year,” says Amy Scheibe, events coordinator for the Hunter Chamber of Commerce. “This annual event beautifully showcases the hospitality of our little village, from food, to entertainment, to incredible shops and recreation,” she added.

The festivities begin at Fromer Market Gardens on Saturday morning at 9:00 am, at their annual holiday market. The market will feature live music, free hot chocolate and cookies, and everyone will have a chance to get a “Snow Globe” photo taken with their loved ones. It will also be a festive scene to do some unique holiday shopping; local purveyors will be selling homemade chocolates, wreaths, jewelry, local honey and maple syrup, spirits from Cooper’s Daughter distillery, one-of-a-kind ornaments, home decor, pet gifts, there’s even going to be a raffle. The kids will love the cookie walk, where you can treat yourself to an array of home-made cookies, and the local Booster Club will be providing their ever-popular “walking tacos.” And if you want to know what a walking taco is and how you eat one, you’re just going to have to show up and see for yourself.

Of course, Santa will be making a special guest appearance, we’re still working on Mrs. Claus and Rudolph, but hey, you never know!. This year he’ll be at Mama’s Boy Burgers from 1:005:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to stop by, sit on the big man’s lap, tell him what you want for Christmas and take pictures. There will be a donation jar next to Santa’s candy canes, where you can make a cash donation to the local food pantry.

Then check out all of the store windows up and down Main Street, as many restaurants, shops and other businesses will be participating in Tannersville’s annual Christmas window display contest. The last few years have been pretty exciting as shop owners go all out to compete for the most festive window displays,

Saturday, December 7, 2:00 & 7:00 pm Sunday, December 8, 2:00 pm Saturday, December 14, 2:00 & 7:00 pm Saturday, December 15, 2:00 pm which in previous years have featured beautiful winter landscapes, downhill skiers, and the entire cast of the Rankin/Bass Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special.

As you wander down Main Street admiring the windows, you’ll notice that over the past 5-10 years Tannersville has grown considerably, with many great restaurants, shops and services, which is great news for visitors and locals alike. The town is humming these days, especially during the holidays. Celebrated fine dining restaurants have sprung up all over the mountaintop, as well as many new casual food and snacking options. (Don’t forget that there are also fantastic restaurants in Haines Falls and Hunter, each about a 5 minute drive.) The new eateries mingle with the popular favorites, which means a larger variety of options.

There is also quite a few more shopping options in town these days. While Tannersville has always been an antiquing destination, there are now trendy new gift shops and home furnishings stores, as well as places to buy games, puzzles and books for kids and adults; outdoor gear, flowers, second-hand clothing, candles and there’s even a place to get that Botox touch-up you’ve been meaning to get to.

Now, if all of this strolling, window-gazing and shopping has left you feeling a bit peckish, a handful of places will be providing free hot drinks and snacks to keep you fortified along the way. The Pantry will be giving out free holiday cookies and Mama’s Boy will be serving free hot chocolate all day. If you like your freebies to be more interactive, Rustic Mountain will be hosting a gingerbread house-making party (while supplies last) and serving hot cider and candy, and Camp Catskill will be offering camping and hiking demos and serving hot cider.

But the day is not all about shopping and filling your bellies, there’s art being offered as well. You have two opportunities that day to see The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s production of The Nutcracker at The Orpheum Performing Arts Center. Now in it’s ninth year, this production of the Orpheum Dance Program has become a holiday favorite in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. Featuring local dancers and children alongside professional and pre-professional dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York and Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, this gorgeous and nostalgic production has become one of the finest Nutcrackers in upstate New York. The opening performances are on the day of the Holiday Stroll, December 7. There’s a matinee at 2:00 pm, followed by an evening performance at 7:00 pm. Don’t fret, if you’re too busy shopping and eating your way down Main Street, performances run Saturdays and Sundays through December 15—visit catskillmtn.org for dates and times, and to purchase tickets.

And lastly, stick around for the village tree lighting at 6:00 pm, featuring a local caroling group who will lead you, and your friends and family in all of your favorite Christmas Carols (be prepared to sing!), Fred’s Donut Shop will be providing their renowned apple cider donuts and hot cocoa, and the Best Holiday Window Display award will be presented to the most deserving holiday window display. The prize? A trophy and very important bragging rights. There’s a also a rumor going around that the Santa Trolley might swing by as well.

After the tree lighting, many participating restaurants and stores will be extending their hours to accommodate diners and shoppers. And lucky you! You’re already in the middle of town.