The Town of Esopus has a bunch of holiday and winter-themed events coming up!
Winter Wonderland
Esopus’ Annual Winter Wonderland Parade is coming soon! The parade starts at the Medrx building on Broadway/Route 9W in Port Ewen to West Stout Avenue, on Saturday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. After the parade, check out the gazebo at the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance, handing out cookies (which were donated by Quick Check). There will also be a tree lighting ceremony and holiday tunes being spun by a DJ.
In conjunction with the event, we are participating in a winter clothing drive for local schoolchildren: we ask that if you can, please donate new coats, hats, and gloves. Drop boxes are located at Esopus Town Hall and in other Port Ewen locations at Dollar General, Mario’s, and the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union.
The event was started up by a local resident named Kathryn Robinson, who joined the Esopus Recreation Commission in 2005.
As chronicled in a 2012 Daily Freeman article, the event is a great time for the community to come together; local businesses and volunteers all chip in what they can to make it happen. Planning for the event starts all the way back in September.
“I can’t say enough about all the people who help out. One person couldn’t do this,” Kathryn said.
This year, Kathryn says that she’s expected between 50 to 70 cars and floats.
The parade always brings attention to Esopus; last year, Spectrum News came out to cover the proceedings, and the parade is often videotaped by the Kingston News:
Frosty Fest
After Halloween, the grounds of the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses on Route 9W transform into Frosty Fest.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“The creative team at Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses, the number one haunted attraction in America, now presents a family event that will prove to be unlike any other event in the country.
Visit A Frosty Fest and view over one million lights, travel through Frosty’s Enchanted Forest where you will experience Dazzling Holiday Lights, Spectacular Displays and Magical Animations.
Additional attractions include The Glistening Gardens, Magical Mansion, Frosty’s 3-D experience, watch our stage show with Jingle the Elf, enter Santa’s North Pole and visit with Santa himself. Don’t forget to visit our holiday gift shop Seasons At The Horseman.”
The attraction has been recognized by sites like Only In Your State, I Love New York, and Upstater as one the leading holiday attractions in the entire state, putting Esopus on the map alongside cities like New York City, Albany and Buffalo.
Frost Fest is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 23 to December 23. Visit their website to purchase tickets.
Esopus Library
The Esopus Library, located at 128 Canal Street in Port Ewen is hosting two holiday-themed events that we know of at this time:
Santa at the Library, December 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon: “Visit Santa at the library, and bring your camera to take photos with him for FREE. Mr. Alex will read a story, sing a song or two, then Santa will arrive! Tell Santa what you want for Christmas, and make a craft while you wait your turn. Light refreshments will be served.”
Card Creation & Swap, December 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30: “Do you have greeting card odds and ends? Perhaps you have the cards, but not the envelopes? Bring them to this event to share, and the library will provide all other materials to create greeting cards and decorated letters. Bring the addresses of those to whom you’d like to send a letter. The library will provide postage and will deliver letters to the post office. Drop in when you are able to, and leave when you must. We will have tea and cocoa, too!”
Bruderhof Communities
Although there’s no official Facebook event for it (yet), the Bruderhof Community will have a “Christmas Carol Singing” event followed by light refreshments on Saturday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., at 1001 Broadway in Port Ewen.
Additionally, on December 14 at 6:30 p.m., the Bruderhof Communities are inviting the community to their space at 101 Woodcrest Drive in Rifton for a free event called “Christmas Carol Singing.” There will be songs, candles, a live nativity scene, and legendary cookies and breads on offer.