The first Saturday in December is always the biggest event of the year for Washingtonville. But some wondered "How could they possibly top last year's 'Best ever'." And would the throngs of people really appreciate a historic "Victorian" theme? Yup, they certainly did. Saturday's Washingtonville Events Committee Victorian Events were a stroke of genius, and the Blooming Grove Chamber of Commerce Parade was a new level of hometown GLITTERATI!
A new element this year was a front and center Judges' Stand. We can't wait to hear who won in each of the categories.
With the Event Committee's Victorian Christmas, Village streets were filled most of the day with shoppers as well as the Holiday Market at Veterans Square. But everything had a beautiful time warp effect with the Victorian images making it feel like a step into a day in Dickens' historic "A Christmas Carol", especially if you saw some of the many families taking a horse and buggy ride. And the obliging Good Boy horse Duncan ever so gently taking bits of carrots from tiny hands. The Celtic Valley Carriage & Farm buggy rides were so popular that when Duncan was due to go over to McLoughlin Commons, those waiting doubled up, having children sit on their laps to make sure everyone had their horse and carriage ride.
Sharing is caring, and this very good boy, "Duncan"
is very respectful of tiny visitors' fingertips
Everyone was able to get their turn for a ride.
HOLIDAY MARKET
Passing through the time warp, a Victorian Lady briefly checks her cell Phone
78 Records NEVER go out of Vogue. Like they say, "Things
go around and then they come back around again." Good
timing for Prizmatica which just added a "Victrola" to their
extensive collectibles
Prizmatica, one of the Village's brand new businesses having had its Grand Opening just a week ago, had a great day. Shoppers were in and out throughout the afternoon and evening looking at and buying some of the many Victorian themed beautiful art objects for sale and getting to know their customer base.
Several repeat customers already returned for more holiday family gifts.
Prizmatica Owner, Dan Sloane
The shop was perfectly themed for the day with many special gift items of stained glass, candelabra, tea lights, antique holiday dishware, and memorable tree adornments.
Prizmatica Interior, Front Section
Prizmatica Owner, Dan Sloane and Senior Associate Jorge Ramirez were also very dapper in their Victorian attire. Jorge spent hours photographing the many memorable events of the day while visiting other areas around the Village that were also holding Whoville activities, so both got a chance to know many residents. and other shop owners.
Theatre On Main Street Makes a Big Entrance
On Parade Day this exciting new theatre group gave several showings in various areas, including the interior of Prizmatica. Michael Boyle Jr. and Jessica Jaber, Co-Founders of the talented Performing Arts Group "Theatre on Main Street", added significantly to the 'times past' feeling, especially with their perfect historical Victorian attire and ability to portray the part of a Victorian couple, looking exactly like they just stepped out of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Again, a stroke of genius from the Washingtonville Events Committee.
THE PARADE
The Parade itself began with vehicles of local businesses and organizations all decked out in the most dazzling glitterati most of us had ever seen. Every year there are new lighting inventions that are jaw-dropping and elicit streams of "WOW, JUST WOW". This year the earlier part of the procession included a stream of mini jeeps. Like children foretelling of giants to come in the future they happily led a charge. Then came the Big Guys. Fire and Rescue vehicles from all over the County and way beyond. The participation of regional fire units in Washingtonville's Christmas Parade is kind of legendary. So why some newbies might wonder why units from other firefighting units like Dan Leghorn, Minisink, Cronomer Valley, Greenville, Pocatello and beyond came this far for a local parade, you could sense the very strong Brotherhood. And the Washingtonville Christmas Parade is a longtime favorite for them to all have a chance to gather in fun rather than in danger. This is especially true this Season, following the extreme heroism and trials they all faced recently in the Perry Creek Greenwood Lake fire event, which took over a week of 24/7 cohesive work by all area Search and Rescue, Fire, State Ranger and First Responder teams.
Clearly this was a time for them to let go of their recent struggles, decking out their vehicles in a spectacular way, and watching many of these these heroes DANCING on top of these trucks brought as tear to more than one eye.
But when the glittering trail of firetrucks ended, the chant began for the tree lighting and calls for "SANTA! SANTA! SANTA!
Let there be LIGHT!
Santa was finally found. All of the work put into these events made it a
very fun evening, and one that people will remember with a smile on their face.
This Village puts safety first! Roadblocks were masterfully placed to ensure everyone's safety, with NO entry to Village Center beginning at 5:45 and extending back to Woodcock Mt. Road on Route 208 and Hudson on Route 94. County Hazmat vehicles were parked down the road, and a green light from a drone floated above, whether for safety or photography no one knew, but the community felt very ensured of safety from the additional safety measures taken. And this led to the evening being one of:
PURE JOY
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