Columbia County Current

Warren St during Winter Walk, 2017

Winter Walk is an annual Hudson celebration that brings upwards of 20,000 people to town.  Hudson’s unique creative community and independent retailers lining Warren street transform the city into a winter wonderland full of music, performance, food, holiday shopping, and family fun.

Winter Walk begins at 5pm outside Hudson Hall with the arrival of Santa, welcomed by the young Harmony Project Hudson choristers. Once settled inside, Santa’s elves will distribute a free, gift-wrapped book to every child who pays him a visit. Santa’s visit is proudly supported by Hudson’s Five Star Urgent Care.

On stage at Hudson Hall, choreographer Adam H. Weinert presents Rip the Nut, a pantomime-style, Hudson Valley-inspired mash-up of the Rip Van Winkle story and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker suite. Professional dancers Logan Kruger, Brett Perry, Davon Rainey, JM Tate and Emma Sandall join Weinert and a talented young local cast for three enchanting performances filled with music, dance, comedy, slapstick, and that special, only-at-Winter-Walk charm.

Back out on Warren Street, musicians and dancers entertain holiday shoppers with in-store performances, while roving performers delight crowds taking in the decorated storefronts or enjoying locally made food and drinks. Highlights include ice carver extraordinaire Bill Bywater (in front of Finch), guitarist Alex Turnquist (at 2Note Perfumery), vocalist Lady Moon (at Hudson Milliner and Swoon) and young harpist Malachi Cherubini (at Lilli and Loo). Family favorites King Hill Miniature Horses, Christine the Crazy Balloon Lady, Seano the Clown and Sax-o-Claus return this year, along with a host of new performers ready to enthrall Winter Walk crowds. A full list of performers will be updated at hudsonhall.org as they are confirmed.

Returning to the Below 3rd district is the traditional Ukrainian Winter Star sculpture by Ukrainian-born, Hudson-based artist Maryna Bilak. The colorful, brightly lit wooden structure stands eight feet tall with eight rays emanating from the center, an ancient symbol of balance, harmony and equilibrium.

Up at the 7th Street Park, free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available, and guests can wander through Santa’s Village of tiny homes featuring fun festive scenes and enchanting characters.

At eight o’clock, fireworks light up the sky from Promenade Hill, marking the official conclusion of Winter Walk and time for Santa to be on his way, but the merriment continues long into the night with many businesses open late for food, drink and entertainment.

DATE/TIME:
Saturday, December 1, 2018: 5 – 8pm (Rain, Snow, or Shine)

LOCATION:
Warren Street, City of Hudson, is the center of the activities but don’t forget to check out side streets and the Hudson Area Library, which are also involved in the celebration.

MORE:
Visit HudsonHall.org

All photos in this post were taken by me during past Winter Walks. Follow me on Instagram to see live updates from this year’s Winter Walk.

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