Saratoga News

Cover Story

Photograph by Kelly Hsiao

Two-year-old Caleb Sparks takes a closer look at the newly lit Christmas tree in Blaney Plaza during the fifth annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

'Tis The Season

Saratoga kicks off the holidays with annual tree lighting in the Village

By Kelly Hsiao

With carolers wandering the streets, families cuddled together in the back of horse-drawn carriages and Santa Claus bringing smiles to the faces of children, the Saratoga Village was alive with holiday cheer Nov. 24 when Saratogans young and old came together for the city's fifth annual Christmas tree lighting in Blaney Plaza.

"This is my favorite event of the year," Mayor Norman Kline said. "It's like walking through a New England winter wonderland."

The event, hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, drew a few hundred people to the area to watch the tree light up, listen to carolers and catch up with friends and neighbors as they wandered the Village taking in the holiday scenery.

"It was fun and the tree is so beautiful," Saratoga resident Cynthia Taggart said of the 15-foot tree displayed in Blaney Plaza.

Singing "Silent Night" and "Baby It's Cold Outside," the Mustang Chorus, made up of kindergarten through fifth-graders from Marshall Lane Elementary School, got the evening off to a festive start.

"I think the kids were a little overwhelmed in the beginning, but by the end they came through," choir director Wendy Hunter said. "Now every time they drive by here they will know that they helped to light the tree."

Taking part in the holiday festivities, the Village shops extended their hours and offered holiday treats to customers.

Salomeh Zohouri, owner of the new women's clothing boutique Kitsch Couture, said she was excited to see so many people out and about in the Village.

"There have been a lot of people coming through. We are so thrilled to be open," said Zohouri, whose boutique opened just days before the event. "We really tried to be open before the holidays and something like this is a good way to get the season started."