Tree Lighting

Festivities planned in Cohoes

November 19, 2000

COHOES - The city and the Cohoes Caretakers will present a Tree Lighting Festival beginning at noon on Saturday.
The newest addition to the Canal Square holiday display is an interactive gingerbread house where children will be able to actually go inside. A message board will be on an interior wall where children may leave messages to Santa.
Organizers are again asking members of the community, particularly children, to make home made ornaments that are disposable and will withstand outdoor weather, to be placed on the city of Cohoes tree in the center of the square.
Residents bringing ornaments are invited to Canal Square at noon on Saturday and help decorate the square. For those who cannot assist with decorations on Saturday, the ornaments may also be delivered to the RiverSpark Visitor Center Tuesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m. before Thursday.
From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday Santa Claus will visit the lobby of the RiverSpark Visitor Center in the Cohoes Music Hall building, 58 Remsen St. A photographer will be taking pictures at a cost of $3. Refreshments will be available.
Cohoes firefighters will be located outside the Visitor Center collecting for Cheer for Children. Donations of new toys only will be accepted from noon to 3 p.m. Those looking for a little adventure may take a hayride through downtown Cohoes. Rides will be given from noon to 4 p.m.
In preparation for the arrival of a special guest, entertainment will begin in Canal Square at 6 p.m. with the Cohoes Senior Center Silvertops performing at 6:30 p.m. At 7:15 p.m. members of the Cohoes Fire Department will escort Santa to the square.
The day's festivities will peak with a tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m. as Mayor John T. McDonald III flips the switch that lights the city of Cohoes Christmas tree and the rest of the square.
Immediately following, a community sing-a-long will be held in the Cohoes Music Hall from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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