Preparations are under way for the Ballston
Spa Business & Professional Association’s annual
Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree
Lighting taking place Friday, Dec. 4.
The step off time is 6:30 p.m., proceeding on
Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on
Front Street with Santa lighting the Christmas
tree. The parade has become a hometown-style
holiday tradition, with fire trucks, floats, animals,
kids and Santa parading down the main
street of the village.
In lieu of a grand marshal this year, the parade
will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign,
in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community
Emergency Corps, Saratoga County
Sheriff Department and U.S. Marine Corps.
Volunteers from these organizations will be on
hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped
toys from spectators along the parade route as
well as at the tree lighting.
The Holiday Parade is a true community
event so parade participants are welcome.
Organizations, groups or businesses that would
like to take part in the parade can contact Ellen
Mottola at the BSBPA office 885-2772 or info@
ballston.org.
The parade headlines a holiday-themed
“First Friday,” Ballston Spa’s monthly event,
which celebrates its 11th year in 2015. Home to
many unique shops, artist galleries, museums,
and a host of popular restaurants, Ballston Spa
for December’s First Friday will fill the village
with a merry atmosphere. Ballston Spa High
School singers and musicians from the school
and Union Fire Company bands perform carols
on the street corners. After lighting the tree,
Santa Claus heads to Ballston Spa National
Bank where he visits with kids of all ages.
Churches and community groups also offer
Christmas musical programs, bake sales and
dinners during the weekend. The BSBPA will
partner once again with St. Mary’s School and
the Eagle Matt Lee and Union Fire Companies
for the annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday
morning, Dec. 5 from 8-11 a.m. It includes
a pancake breakfast, crafts, kids’ activities,
performances by local musicians and singers
and a chance to chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Toys for Tots volunteers will also be there accepting
donations.
For more information, visit www.ballston.org.