Event to feature a number of activities through December 4

File photo
The New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival will once again get underway this week. The celebration was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Civic and Commerce members are gearing up for over a week of programming for this years Christmas Tree Festival. Beginning on Friday, through Dec. 4, events and tree viewings are planned with a wide variety of programs available at the City Hall Ballroom.

On Friday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m., the Christmas Tree Festival Kick-Off will be held for tree viewing, Christmas music, and a bake sale held by the TOPS 1046 group. A chili and chowder feed will also be taking place at the Senior Center from 4-7 p.m. Tree viewing will be available each day of the event.

Family day is set for Nov. 27 at the Christmas Tree Festival. The family day celebration will take place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. As part of family day, individuals can take a look at the Christmas trees, take a photo with Santa, create some clever crafts for all ages, and decorate a Christmas cookie. 

Senior Day will take place during the afternoon on Nov. 30 from 1-3 p.m. The NY Mills Jazz Band will be holding a performance at 2 p.m. to get people ready for sleigh rides led by Lester Bain starting at 3 p.m. The sleigh rides are sponsored by Farmers and Merchants State Bank. These cozy tours of NY Mills will be free of charge for all who are interested. 

Also on Nov. 30, Bingo for Books will be held from 5-6 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the NY Mills Library. 

On Dec. 1, the Cultural Center will be holding a Wine Tasting and Hors D’oeuvres party from 6-8 p.m. 

On Dec. 2 a sip and paint featuring the Junkyard Chicks will be available to artists and those who want to be from 5-7 p.m. followed by the Ring of Kerry Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center

The Christmas Tree Festival wraps up on Dec. 4 with the Community Christmas Party. The Christmas party will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour, followed by a dinner at 7 p.m.  Then, a dance will be taking place after the dance floor is cleared. 

“This year the band, a Hard Day’s Night is a Buddy Holly and Beatles tribute band that are going to be really great,” said NY Lions Club President Latham Hetland. 

In addition to the dinner and dance, the Community Christmas Party will be the final night to bid on the Christmas trees that are up for auction for Santa Anonymous. 

“It’s a great night filled with fun, food, drinks, and dancing,” said Hetland.

Raffle tickets for the Heinola Hustlers 4-H Quilt Raffle will be available at the Lakes Area Co-op, Cultural Center, and Farmers and Merchants Bank. The annual Community Party is being sponsored by the NY Mills Lions Club. All proceeds from the Christmas Tree Festival go to Santa Anonymous to help families in need.