Do you typically get the colder weather blahs? Are you looking for something to do for the next few weekends? Then come on over to Greenport, where you will find plenty to do and see during the Greenport Holiday Festival.
Now in its second year, the annual Greenport Holiday Festival began when a group of Greenport businesses got together to bring to the village an extended season of activity centered around its historic maritime past as well as introduce the town’s lovely diverse present. Working as a sub-group of the Greenport Business Association, the holiday committee members – Leueen Millerd, Nancy Curtin, Kathleen Bifulco and Caroline Waloski – along with several volunteers, thought the festival would be a great way to build tourism and help promote Greenport as the year-round community that it is.
So every weekend, beginning Saturday, November 27 with the lighting of the holiday tree in Mitchell Park, and culminating on New Year’s Eve with a celebration at the village’s famous Carousel, Greenport will be buzzing with holiday activity.
What else can you expect? Lots of family stuff, for sure. You can enjoy ice skating, children’s games, a holiday parade, a menorah lighting, family movies, and arts and crafts. Holiday concerts will be offered at Breaknock Hall, including a performance by members of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus while historic tours of some of the village’s decorated homes will certainly elicit some "oohs" and "aahs."
As children we loved hearing grown-ups read bedtime stories – words and emotions that would take us to another place before we closed our eyes. Get ready to be transported as an adult – and bring your kids – as festival storytellers entertain you with dramatic readings of traditional Christmas stories like Truman Capote’s "A Christmas Memory."
If shopping is what you do for the holidays, Greenport won’t disappoint. Shops and galleries will be offering many lovely items and consumables for people on your list, like clothing, accessories, jewelry, antiques, and artwork along with everything you’ll need to make your gifts complete such as wrapping paper, bows and greeting cards. For those of you with a sailor in your life – or simply a person who loves the water – you’ll find maritime gifts galore.
Each weekend throughout the month, free hot chocolate will be available for children at Front Street Station Restaurant and adults can indulge in a free glass of mulled wine at Scrimshaw Restaurant. Naturally, Santa will be making the rounds so make sure you have a camera on hand at all times!
While in Greenport be sure to stop in at any one of its fine restaurants for yourself or to purchase a gift certificate (such as the aforementioned Scrimshaw or wonderful Soundview Restaurant) – a great gift idea for couples to enjoy a night out. Or better yet, extend your day trip into an overnight stay and check out any of Greenport’s cozy bed and breakfasts (the Wells House B&B is a great place to start) or fine hotels, motels or private homes.
And finally, for those of you who’d rather do nothing at all, take a stroll down Front and Main Streets to see the holiday trees in full display next to the festive store window decorations. So take a winter holiday, get your shopping done, have fun, and relax. This holiday season, Greenport is the getaway for you!
For a complete list of details and dates of the Greenport Holiday Festival, visit www.greenportholidays.com.
