ALBANY, N.Y.– Stuyvesant Plaza tonight ushered in the most wonderful time of the year by welcoming shoppers to celebrate the season at the first-ever Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the Capital Region’s premiere lifestyle shopping and dining destination.
Representatives from Stuyvesant Plaza were joined Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and local officials to light a 14-foot holiday tree along with traditional decorative holiday lights adorned throughout the outdoor lifestyle shopping center.
“For over 50 years, gift seekers have made Stuyvesant Plaza part of their holiday season by shopping amongst the beautiful display of decorative lights and store windows throughout the center. The new Holiday Lighting Ceremony marks the official beginning to this festive time of the year,” said Stuyvesant Plaza President Ed Swyer. “We hope this new event will become a treasured holiday tradition in the Capital Region for years to come.”
The Holiday Lighting Ceremony also marked the beginning of the first Window Decorating Contest at Stuyvesant Plaza, which features storefront windows designed in holiday themes.
Plaza patrons are invited to stroll the shopping center to view the windows and vote for their favorite by posting a comment with the store’s name on the Stuyvesant Plaza Facebook page. The contest will end on December 6. One voter will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card to a Stuyvesant Plaza store.
Additionally, shoppers enjoyed holiday songs from performers with Park Playhouse, which will continue its season with a production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Palace Theatre in Albany on Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 20 at 2 p.m.
Stuyvesant Plaza also provided complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and pastries from Bountiful Bread throughout the evening.
The Holiday Lighting Ceremony comes in advance of the annual Holiday Open House at Stuyvesant Plaza, which will be held on Saturday, November 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features exclusive sales and samples; and offers shoppers unique gift ideas for the holiday season.
The Holiday Open House marks the return of horse-drawn carriages to Stuyvesant Plaza. Plaza patrons are welcome to enjoy the complimentary seasonal carriage rides during the open house from 1 to 4 p.m.
Stuyvesant Plaza is conveniently located at the corner of Western Avenue and Fuller Road in Albany. For more information about Stuyvesant Plaza, visit www.stuyvesantplaza.com. For up-to-date information on sales, contests and special events, like the Stuyvesant Plaza Facebook page or follow @StuyvesantPlaza on Twitter.
About Stuyvesant Plaza
From one-of-a-kind shops to the finest nationally known names in retail, Stuyvesant Plaza is home to Talbots, Ann Taylor Loft, White House│Black Market, Crabtree & Evelyn, Chico’s, Eastern Mountain Sports, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers and 50 unique other shops and restaurants in a spectacular open air setting. In 2009, Stuyvesant Plaza commemorated 50 years as the premiere lifestyle shopping center and professional office park in the Capital District.