ALBANY, N.Y. – Stuyvesant Plaza will again usher in the most wonderful time of the year by welcoming shoppers to celebrate the season at the third annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Capital Region’s premier lifestyle shopping and dining destination on Tuesday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m.
The honor of lighting this year’s 16-foot holiday tree will go to University at Albany women’s basketball head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee. She will be joined by several players, Stuyvesant Plaza representatives, and local officials to light the holiday tree. The University at Albany Spirit Squad and mascot will entertain guests during the tree lighting.
“The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony has quickly become a much-loved tradition at Stuyvesant Plaza. We look forward to once again welcoming the season of giving with this annual event,” said Stuyvesant Plaza President Ed Swyer. “We encourage Capital Region residents to join us for a fun and festive evening as we officially begin the holiday season at Stuyvesant Plaza.”
Shoppers at the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and pastries. Refreshments will be located near J&A Italian.
The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will also mark the beginning of the annual 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 checking in at the Stuyvesant Plaza Facebook page and posting a photo of their favorite window décor. One voter will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift certificate to a Plaza store of their choice.
The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony comes in advance of the annual Holiday Open House at Stuyvesant Plaza, which will be held on Saturday, November 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event features exclusive sales and samples; and offers shoppers the opportunity to gather unique gift ideas for the holiday season.
The Holiday Open House also marks the return of horse-drawn carriages to Stuyvesant Plaza. Plaza guests are welcome to enjoy the complimentary seasonal carriage rides from 1 to 4 p.m.
Additionally, guests will be invited to spread holiday cheer this season by completing the word JOY with their own body by standing next to giant “J” and “O” letter statues at Stuyvesant Plaza. The letter sculptures will be located in two locations: near Cold Stone Creamery and Jean Paul Spa.
Shoppers are encouraged to share a photo of themselves or a loved one completing the word JOY on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #JOYinStuyvesantPlaza. Beginning November 24 through December 21, one photo each week will be randomly selected to win a prize from Stuyvesant Plaza.
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 and Instagram.
About Stuyvesant Plaza
From one-of-a-kind shops to the finest nationally known names in retail, Stuyvesant Plaza is home to more than 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.