Daniel Cassels, 8, has been decorating holiday trees along the
lakeshore since he was three. “I love it,” said the young man
who was
joined by his mom, Sue
CARMEL – A small army of volunteers was up early Saturday and under cloudy skies decorated 75 holiday trees that arrived earlier from Canada to give the Putnam County seat a holiday aura.
On Saturday thanks in part to the Hamlet of Carmel Civic Association, Carmel’s 25th annual Parade of Lights featuring dozens of floats will proceed along the hamlet’s main thoroughfare.
Activities are planned throughout the day from a pancake breakfast starting at 8 a.m. at the Carmel FD headquarters to Christmas music and crafts starting at 11 am at the Reed Library, as well as face painting at the Carmel High School cafeteria beginning at 3 o’clock.
The community’s caroling festival and hayrides at the Cornerstone Park from 4:00-5:30 p.m. is planned along with the annual chowder tasting event starting at 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Park.
The park’s holiday tree will be lighted at 5 o’clock following a brief ceremony honoring Putnam’s first responders and veterans.
Churches throughout the hamlet will be hosting their annual bazaars and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. live music will be performed on the steps of the historic Putnam Courthouse.
A Santa Stroll is planned from Cornerstone Park to the Reed Library starting at 6:15 p.m. where bystanders will cheer on a small army of Santa’s to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The electric light parade consisting of more than 40 floats steps off at 6:30 p.m. followed by caroling on the Gleneida shoreline with free donuts and hot chocolate.
The evening will culminate with the lighting of the holiday trees and a visit from Santa from a nearby rooftop.
