Don’t Miss All the Fun on Thanksgiving Weekend
Stephanie and Jessica Celani at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot 5K and 1.5-Mile Walk.
OK, my festive friends. As you gather at the Thanksgiving table with your family and friends, be sure to discuss your plan of attack. Because Avalon and Stone Harbor’s Thanksgiving weekend that existed before COVID has officially returned, with even more events and activities on the schedule. So, eat up, and then start planning!
Avalon’s popular Festival of Trees features Christmas trees and wreaths beautifully decorated with a variety of fun themes. Visit participating stores and locations to see the trees and bid online for your favorite ones. Be sure to read the descriptions, as many will include gift certificates and unique extras that add a little excitement to the bidding war. This event starts Nov. 18 and will close promptly at 2pm on Saturday, Nov. 26. Winning bidders will be alerted via the mobile app with payment and pickup instructions.
Following your family feast, be sure to hit the hay early because when the sun comes up on Friday, you better be ready for a family-fun holiday hustle. The hustle begins … with some hustle! Start your day at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot 5K and 1.5-Mile Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, starting at 10am. This is a family event, so dress up your little turkeys and start your day raising funds for a great cause! Compete for the best team costume, or race for trophies in each age group! Trot or stroll through Avalon as the town wakes up and prepares for Festive Friday starting at 11am!
Festive Friday has officially returned to its heyday layout of 2019 with a TON of activities, games, crafts, and activities for all ages. Enjoy character meet-and-greets, face painting, balloon art, craft stations, and children’s performances scheduled throughout Avalon all day! Relax your feet and sip some hot chocolate at the Cozy Stations as you listen to some holiday tunes brought to you by The Corner Boys.
And we’re moving! Head to Stone Harbor on Friday for its annual Island Holiday including the return of the popular carousel and Holiday Market at the 95th Street Water Tower Plaza, held on Friday from 11am-5pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm. Participate in Frosty’s Scavenger Hunt starting at the Chamber of Commerce stand and enjoy a race around town with tips, clues, and prizes! And browse a number of beautifully decorated trees at the Stone Harbor Women’s Civic Club’s Festival of Trees on Friday, 10am-8pm and Saturday, 10am-noon. Enjoy a holiday dance performance at 12:45pm from The Turning Pointe Dance Studio, and be sure to pause for paws! The Paw Prints Pet Paw-rade returns on Friday at 1pm.
And we’re moving! Back to Avalon for the Santa Lights Dune Drive Parade, starting at 4:30pm, traveling up Dune Drive from 80th Street to 7th Street. Head out to your corner and wave as Santa and many friends pass by on their way to light up Veterans Plaza on 21st Street.
Need a snack? Ready for a cocktail yet? Stone Harbor is here to help! Head to the Stone Harbor shopping district for the 96th Street Tree Lighting at 6pm, followed by the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Night from 6-9pm. Enjoy refreshments and snacks as you shop local and check off your holiday shopping list!
THE FUN CONTINUES, FOLKS!
Saturday starts bright and early with Stone Harbor’s Downtown Dash. Registration begins at 8:30am, and the family-fun run begins at 10am with an exciting race through town! Stone Harbor’s weekend events also return starting at 11am, including the carousel, Holiday Market, Frosty’s Scavenger Hunt, and the Women’s Civic Club Festival of Trees! What a day!
And we’re moving! Even though you are heading just a few blocks north, you would think you are stepping into the North Pole with the return of Snowfest Saturday in Avalon. Santa Claus himself is here – all day! Professional family photos with Santa will be available from 11am-4pm at Veterans Plaza, along with the fabulous festive fun that we have come to know and love. Rides, bounce houses, obstacle courses, and live music are featured on Dune Drive from 27th Street all the way to Santa. So, sip some hot chocolate, compete in the Polar Extreme Obstacle Course, and smile with Santa. Snowfest Saturday is back in full effect.
And we’re moving! (Just one more time, my festive friends!) Wrap up this amazing holiday extravaganza, and head BACK to Stone Harbor for the Christmas Parade, because if you haven’t waved to Santa yet, this is your last opportunity before he flies all the way north to get started for the holiday season. The parade starts at 107th Street and Third Avenue at 6:30pm, and travels north up Third Avenue to 96th Street. See fire trucks, festive floats, and a number of local organizations as they participate in the fun holiday tradition.
And then head to bed, because you, my festive friends, have only just begun your holiday hustle. But at least for this weekend, you came, you saw, and you conquered that massive list of events and activities. What a great way to kick off another holiday season at Seven Mile Beach. Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night.
