Schoharies Fox Creek Park holiday lights tradition continues

Holiday revelers are once again flocking to Schoharie’s Fox Creek Park to enjoy the annual lights display. 

A community favorite, the colorful seasonal spectacle is sponsored by the nonprofit Schoharie Promotional Association, which also coordinates the decorations on Main Street in Schoharie.

Preparation for Lights in the Park begins in October when volunteers wrap trees with strings of holiday lights. The pavilion is also decorated, and other areas of the park are chock full of snowflakes and Christmas classics that the association has accumulated over the years.

The official lighting to kick off the holiday season is held the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the display will continue through the New Year. 

Floyd Guernsey III, owner of Guernsey’s Schoharie Nursery, has plans to create ice skating areas in the park, if Mother Nature cooperates. Last year was a bust weather-wise. 

The Guernsey family has been creating ice skating rinks in Schoharie for more than half a century. Floyd Guernsey II used to flood the parking lot behind the Parrot House on Main Street for residents to enjoy in the winter months. 

The Village of Schoharie owns Fox Creek Park, and Guernsey uses its fire hydrant to flood the area, but the rink’s upkeep and maintenance are on his dime. 

Weather permitting, residents and visitors can enjoy skating and pickup hockey games around the clock until the weather warms next year. 

In addition to the lights display, Schoharie Promotional Association is also sponsoring its annual Holiday Decorating Contest for homes and businesses in the town and village of Schoharie.

To participate, submit a photo of your holiday decorations (with name and address) to schohariepromo@yahoo.com. Submissions are due by Monday, Dec. 9, and gift certificates will be awarded to three homeowners and one business the week of Dec. 15.

For information, go to https://schohariepromo.org.