Gallery: Saratoga Festival of Trees

Good Cheer: Nothing revs up a gang of Santa’s Helpers more than when Jill Perkins hits the house with her camera!

SARATOGA SPRINGS – No malls. No Black Friday. Plenty of smiles.

Now in its 27th Annual, The Saratoga Festival of Trees, benefitting Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, has delighted attendees. Just that, simply.

They do it by snapping our minds past the commercialism that is always a threat to overwhelm the Holidays, and focusing our attention on what the true meaning of Christmas should be. It lives here, each and every year.

Correspondent Jill Perkins feels it: “The 27th annual Festival of Trees is pure holiday magic! As one of the most festive events kicking off the holiday season, it’s impossible not to catch the holiday spirit among so many impeccably decorated trees, live music, delicious fare, incredible raffle items and familiar jovial faces.

“My top three themed trees this year were, Meet Me Under The Mistletoe, Merry Pupmas and Angelika, yet they were all so exquisite that it was difficult to pick a favorite. And if you’re a patron of this festive Christmas tradition each year, you know just what I mean.”

Indeed, and the best news of all is two-fold. 1- You still have an opportunity to attend through this Sunday, and 2- After a two-year pause, Breakfast with Santa is back! There are three Breakfasts with Santa on Saturday, December 3: the first scheduled for 8:30-9:30, then 10-11 and 11:30-12:30; Sundaes with Santa follows from 1-2pm.

Tickets are $10 each. Children 2 and under are free. Adults must accompany children. Tickets include either the breakfast or sundae, a tour of the Festival of Trees, a photo with Santa and access to a variety of children’s activities for $1 per ticket.

Activities include cookie decorating, face painting, manicures, ornament making, picture frame creating and letters to Santa. There will also be a Holiday Shop with gifts for purchase. Breakfast with Santa and Sundaes with Santa admission tickets are sold in advance only and can be purchased online at http://www.saratogafestivaloftrees.com/ or by calling 518-587-5000.

Enjoy the gallery.