Drive by to see Christmas lights

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Village of Granville Clerk and Treasurer Registrar Rick Roberts.

With about 125 locations of more than 200,000 holiday lights set up throughout the village of Granville, the holiday committee is gearing up for its annual tree-lighting at Veterans Memorial Park on Quaker Street on Dec. 4 at 6:15 p.m.

However, this year village officials are requesting there not be a mass gathering of people for the lighting because of the risk COVID-19 presents.

Instead, families are invited to take a drive around the loop of Church Street to Main Street to Quaker Street and soak in the festive lights and decorations from the comfort of their cars while tuning into 89.3 FM for some music synchronized to the lights.

“As to a gathering spot for the driving loop, I don’t think that we will really have a single spot to congregate, but we would encourage people to come out on Friday night and drive the loop at their pleasure and enjoy the lights and festivities,” village Clerk Rick Roberts said via email.

Additionally, Manchester Media will be reporting via Facebook Live from Veterans Memorial Park on the Granville Sentinel Facebook page for the tree-lighting, and will do a tour of the driving loop with Roberts.

With roughly 80% of the lights and decorations complete, Mayor Paul Labas and Roberts expect all the lights excluding Veterans Memorial Park to be set up and ready to shine by Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Speaking of Veterans Memorial Park, Roberts is excited to decorate fresh Christmas trees and see them glow bright during such a gloomy time in society.

“We’ve got 20 fresh Christmas trees coming, we’re going to decorate them with (80) colored lights,” Roberts said.

Judging for the Holiday Decorating Contest for those who entered will be conducted on Friday, Dec. 11, with awards being distributed on Dec. 14.

“It’s all about just having fun with it,” Roberts said with a smile from ear to ear.

Donations “to be used as needed,” both physical and monetary, have been driving this project to be so successful since starting in October.

“Our hat, mitten and blanket drive has been very successful again this year, and representatives will begin distributing donations on Nov. 20,” Roberts said. “The distributions will continue through Dec. 4.”

Roberts also said the hats, mittens and blankets being collected by Glens Falls National Bank and Great Meadow Federal Credit Union will be distributed throughout the village, with the hopes of lending to the schools in the nearby area, food pantries and even setting up a table to come and take what’s needed.

“They’re working a couple different angles,” Roberts said.

If it weren’t for the endless support of volunteers, Roberts said, he doesn’t know how this beloved event would be pulled off every year, especially in one as hectic as 2020.

“I can’t say enough about the amount of volunteers this year,” Roberts said. “We’re still going to try to keep Granville bright.”