2018 Huntington Holiday Parade, Wall Street Festival & Annual Tree Lighting Set for Saturday, November 24
Celebrate with Music performed by Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, a Visit with Santa, and the 4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition
The Town of Huntington’s 9th Annual Holiday Parade and Wall Street Festival in Huntington Village will take place on Saturday, November 24. The theme of the day is “Winter Wonderland,” with a full day of entertainment and activities starting with Small Business Saturday, continuing with Long Island’s Largest Electric Light Parade kicking off at 5:30 PM, ending with Santa’s arrival at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“This year, Huntington’s Holiday Parade and Annual Tree Lighting returns to the Saturday evening on Thanksgiving Weekend,” stated Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, who serves as co-Grand Marshal for the 2018 Holiday Parade with Peter Mazzeo, singer, songwriter and founding member of the New York Bee Gees. “Join us for the festivities and shop our local merchants on Small Business Saturday.”
4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition
The 2018 Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade and Festival will feature the 4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition. Amateur bakers ages 12 and up can enter the Gingerbread House Competition. Finalist entries will be on display in the windows of The Paramount for public voting on Saturday, November 24. After the festival, all of the finalists will be on display in the lobby of Town Hall throughout December and January.
To enter the competition, download the 2018 Gingerbread House Competition Application and Rules and return it to Huntington Town Hall, Attn: Diane Wilbur, 100 Main Street, Room 203, Huntington, New York 11743 by November 9, 2018 along with a $25 deposit that will be refunded upon delivery of the Gingerbread House. See application and rules for details: http://www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13865/2018_Gingerbread_House_Competition_Application_and_Rules.pdf
9th Annual Winter Wonderland 2018 Huntington Holiday Parade
The 9th Annual “Winter Wonderland” 2018 Huntington Holiday Parade, which draws between 5,000 and 10,000 people to downtown Huntington Village, will kick off at 5:30 PM from the Big H Shopping Center on New York Avenue and will proceed north to Main Street and then west on Main Street to West Neck Road.
Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci and singer, songwriter and founding member of the New York Bee Gees, Peter Mazzeo will serve as co-Grand Marshals for the parade, which kicks off with musical performances on and in front of the reviewing stand.
The parade will include competitions for the best floats in several categories, with judging based on how well they follow the theme of the parade, “Winter Wonderland.” The friendly competition among fire departments is particularly fierce, because the winning department gets to choose who will play Santa Claus in the 2019 parade. Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to participate.
To participate in the Parade, download a 2018 Holiday Parade Application and return it to Huntington Manor Fire Department, Attn: Holiday Parade Committee, 1650 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 by November 16, 2018.
http://www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13865/2018_HOLIDAY_PARADE_APPLICATION.pdf
To be a Parade Sponsor, download a 2018 Parade Sponsor and Map Application and return it to Town of Huntington, Attn: Betty Walsh, 100 Main Street, Room 200, Huntington, NY 11743 by November 20, 2018. Please make checks payable to: The Huntington Human Services Institute, Inc.
http://www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13865/2018_Parade_Sponsor_and_Map_Application.pdf
Interactive Parade Map
The Town will be hosting the Interactive Parade Map created by Town GIS staff for the third year. Participating businesses will be listed on the Parade Map, which can be accessed on any smart phone, computer, laptop, tablet, or other device.
Shoppers will browse the interactive Holiday Parade Map, full of giveaways and special offers related to Small Business Saturday and the Holiday Parade. The Interactive Parade Map also allows the user to see the location of all the events, entertainment, parking, transportation information and more. At the end of the holiday season the Parade Map becomes the Business Map. The business sponsors that take part in the Parade Map as a sponsor remain on the Business Map from 2018 to 2019.
Any merchant wishing to be featured on the map and offer deals for the Holiday Season can download a 2018 Parade Map Application and return it by November 20, 2018 to GISPro-Admin@huntingtonny.gov.
http://www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13865/2018_Parade_Map_Application_Only.pdf
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Wall Street Festival
As the parade has grown, so have the activities surrounding it. Wall Street is closed for a street festival filled with games, food and music as everyone awaits the lighting of the tree and a chance for the children to meet Santa.
Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, performances include those by the America’s Got Talent finalist, the Huntington Chamber Choir and others.
After the tree lighting ceremony, the festival will continue on Wall Street. A DJ will take over to maintain the festive mood, as children pay a visit to Santa Claus, have their faces painted, play in the bounce houses, and enjoy free hot chocolate, popcorn, cotton candy, and roasted chestnuts. Musicians and street performers will play throughout the village as families shop, play games and participate in activities.
Starting at 1:00 PM, the Huntington Public Library and Panera Bread will host children’s holiday crafts and the 3rd Annual Scavenger Hunt for children and parents will kick off in front of Ben and Jerry’s on Main Street.
Free parking will be available at the Huntington LIRR Train Station, with a convenient free shuttle from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Qwik Ride will offer free rides around Huntington Village.
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