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Events to showcase family fun, shopping, food & entertainment on December 7 & 8
Schenectady, NY (Dec. 4, 2018) – Downtown Schenectady will be humming with holiday cheer this weekend, thanks to three seasonal events designed to attract visitors of all ages and interests:
DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Friday, December 7, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. & Saturday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Jay Street – This two-day outdoor seasonal marketplace features an array of vendors and artisans to complement downtown’s popular year-round storefront businesses. Presented by the DSIC with assistance from the Jay Street Business Association (JSBA).
Richard Mare, JSBA President and Owner of Downtown Designs Vintage said, “The Holiday Bazaar is a fun and creative way to bring awareness and foot traffic to our year-round businesses while offering a variety of additional gifts and holiday fare. We invite visitors to finish up their holiday shopping in Downtown Schenectady while supporting local small businesses and artisans.”
Nearly 20 guest vendors will set up for the bazaar under a heated tent on Jay Street in front of City Hall, directly adjacent to Jay Street’s more than two dozen shopping, dining and service businesses. Vendors will offer everything from holiday décor, pottery, and pet accessories to locally-produced maple products, spirits, cheeses and much more. On Friday evening, a LIVE ice carving of The Grinch will take place on the front lawn of City Hall. Storefront businesses on Jay Street and throughout downtown will provide in-store activities and customer specials throughout the weekend.
View a list of Holiday Bazaar vendors and Jay Street businesses
View an interactive map of Downtown Schenectady businesses
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DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY’S CITY HALL-IDAY
Saturday, December 8, Noon – 4:00 p.m., Schenectady City Hall – This 15th annual event provides a wide variety of fun and FREE activities for the entire family. Presented by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC).
Jim Salengo, DSIC Executive Director noted, “The City Hall-iday is an extremely popular event for area children and their families during the holiday season. We love providing an afternoon of free activities so everyone can capture the magic of the season in the heart of Downtown Schenectady.”
Visitors can grab a hot chocolate, hop on a holiday hay ride around City Hall and visit Santa for a free family photo. Balloon art, hands-on crafts and face painting will take place throughout the afternoon, as well as science and safety demonstrations. Sponsored by the Creative Advantage, Experience & Creative Design, KeyBank, Legere Restorations, Tablecloths for Granted and the Times Union, with support from the Schenectady County Initiative Program Grant.
View the City Hall-iday schedule of activities
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY CHILI CHOWDOWN & CRAFT BREW TRAIL
Saturday, December 8, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Downtown Schenectady Restaurants – This 4th annual event pairs delicious chili with some of the area’s best craft beers at restaurants around Downtown Schenectady. Presented in partnership by Schenectady County and the DSIC.
County Legislator Cathy Gatta, Chair of the Committee on Special Events and Tourism said, “Your leftover turkey should be long gone, so it’s a perfect time to come downtown and try great tasting chili prepared by some of our county’s best restaurants and pubs.”
Visitors can take part by picking up a map at any of the 18 participating locations and then strolling around downtown from restaurant to restaurant to taste creative chili recipes for $1 per sample. A variety of regional craft breweries will be paired with restaurants to provide craft beer samples, also for $1 per sample. Guests who vote for their favorite chili recipes at special ballot boxes around downtown will be entered to win one of two new Schenectady Ale Trail digital passports from Discover Schenectady, valued at $40 each. The passports entitle the holder to one flight of beer at each of Schenectady County’s six craft breweries. Guest judges from the Yelp Albany Elite member community will also be selecting their favorite recipes. Sponsored by Saratoga Eagle and the Times Union.
View a list and map of Chili Chowdown restaurants & craft breweries
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FREE parking at Downtown Schenectady’s Broadway Parking Garage and public lots near Jay Street and City Hall will be available for these events, courtesy of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and LAZ Parking (Note: Event parking fees may be in effect at the Clinton South and Broadway South lots behind Proctors). For additional information on downtown parking and a map of lots, visit www.parkschenectady.com.
Additional events are taking place at venues around Downtown Schenectady from December 7-9 to round out a full weekend of holiday enjoyment, including:
- Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.; Dec. 8, 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Dec. 9, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m., Proctors
- Festival of Trees, Dec. 8 & 9, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Schenectady County Historical Society & YWCA NorthEastern NY
- Model Trains in Motion: Full STEAM Ahead, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Dec. 9, 12:30 – 4 p.m., miSci
- Schenectady County Public Library Holiday Open House, Dec. 8, Noon – 4 p.m., Central Branch
- The Open Door Bookstore, Dec. 8, 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Author & illustrator Samantha Cotterill signing children’s book, Just Add Glitter.
- Schenectady Greenmarket, December 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Inside Proctors
For an interactive map of businesses throughout Downtown Schenectady and a calendar of downtown events, visit www.downtownschenectady.org.
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