Highlands Holiday Hop plans moving right along
Despite an unseasonably warm start to November, organizers of the “Highlands Holiday Hop” have only snowflakes and Santa Claus on their minds.
Since August, the small group of local business owners, organizations and residents have been hard at work planning and preparing for this special December event – an event they hope will become an annual tradition in the Town of Highlands.
On Saturday, December 3 the community is invited to a day of holiday shopping and festive family-friendly activities!
Conceived by Highlands Arts Alliance founder and director, Jay LeRoy, as a way to foster community spirit and spread holiday cheer, the Hop encourages support for the Highlands economy as well as the local organizations working tirelessly for residents throughout the year.
One way they’re trying to do this is with the “Hop Spot Card”. That is, residents can pick up a special “bingo card” listing all of the participating venues – aka “Hop Spots” – and have it stamped at each location. After someone visits every Hop Spot and their card is completely filled up, it can be entered into a raffle for prizes!
There’s no purchase necessary to get the card stamped. But Hop organizers encourage everyone to support local businesses and organizations – whether it’s with the purchase of at least a snack, gift card or a donation to the community group of their choice.
Cards can be picked up at any participating Hop Spot the day of the event, such as the Holiday Hop HQ tent in Memorial Park.
But it’s not just about collecting those stamps and winning prizes!
There are several festive events and activities scheduled throughout the day. At the time of publication, the following have been planned, but there’s always the possibility for more to be added.
The Hop organizers will be hosting a toy drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Hop HQ in Memorial Park. Donate a new, unwrapped toy to be included in the Village Toy Box and help make a Merry Christmas for local children.
And while you’re there, snap a selfie in the Elf Village, try your hand at outdoor games, enjoy free hot cocoa and keep your eyes peeled for possible visitors from the North Pole!
The Highland Falls Fire Dept. Auxiliary will hold its 9th annual Vendor Fair at Highland Falls Firehouse, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Holy Innocents Epis-copal Church runs its Penny Social from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Highlands Arts Alliance has partnered with Delizia’s Pizza & Kitchen to hold its Holiday Artisan Market in their dining room from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. But don’t forget to visit their Holiday Artisan Market Extension at 264 Main Street (next to Crafty Dee’s Canvas) during the same hours.
Families should head to Highland Falls Library to meet with the big man himself – Santa Claus!
Thanks to the sponsorship of The Center of Highland Falls, guests will have the opportunity to take photos with jolly old St. Nick from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the library’s Mystery Room.
Children can also create gingerbread houses while waiting their turn to see Santa. Then, at 1 p.m., join one of Santa’s helpers for children’s story time.
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce has organized a children’s tree decorating and lighting event at Ladycliff Park from 3 to 5 p.m. Kids can decorate ornaments while enjoying snacks, hot cocoa, and sing carols in anticipation for the lighting of the tree they helped decorate.
And residents who want to test their baking prowess can enter the Christmas Cookie Competition, hosted by Park Restaurant. Bring your cookies to Kevin Pozo at the Park any time on December 2 or 3. Winners will be selected the night of the Hop after consideration by a blind panel of judges, with prizes being awarded in different categories. To enter, cookies must be submitted in a Ziplock bag with an index card or paper attached to it stating the following information: Entrant’s name, contact info, name of the cookie, and any potential allergens (i.e. nuts, gluten, etc.)
The Highlands Holiday Hop culminates with the lighting of the Village tree at 6 p.m. in Memorial Park.
“This has been quite an undertaking,” LeRoy said. “The Hop was never intended to solely be a Highlands Arts Alliance event but a community collaboration. And this wouldn’t even be possible without the tremendous amount of hard work committee members and other volunteers have been putting in! And I’m happy to see how well it’s all coming together! Because it’s our first time doing something like this, there’s bound to be hiccups but the planners are doing all they can to make sure it’s a memorable event – and I’m sure it will be!”
Be sure to check the event’s webpage, at www.highlandsartsalliance.org/holidayhop, or scan the QR code on event flyers, for up-to-date information, as plans are still being finalized.
Volunteers are still needed to assist with decorating and helping out at various activities. If you are interested, please contact the Hop organizers at highlandsartsalliance@gmail.com
