By BINTOU CISSE
Contributing Writer
For nearly two decades, Capital Holiday Lights in Albany has been the center of many people’s attention. Each year around this time in the holiday season, people from the Capital Region, and across the country, come here to Albany to see a show and visit the inside of the Washington Park lake house.
With more than 125 light displays, Capital Holiday Lights is a spectacular live drive-through show and the major fundraiser for the Albany Police Athletic League youth programs. This year will be the 90th edition of the light festival.
“We usually expect over a 125 thousand people through the park on a yearly basis,” said Sherry Rose, the office manager of Albany Police Athletic League.
“Our show is a family tradition. We do all kinds of really fun things and folks like to come here with their kids. It’s a craft show, Santa is here, you know. It’s just a little bit of family fun for everyone.”
Santa and the crafts are located in the lake house commonly known as the Park Playhouse. Located at the end of the drive-through, the interior looks more like a wonderland than anything else. With bright lights and cartoon characters welcoming the children under the open-air amphitheater.
Standing alongside Elmo, Winnie the Pooh and Olaf is Jovin the Elf. The woman wearing the costume, Elyse Loughlin, is volunteering for the night. She has spent the past couple hours sharing smiles, hugging and entertaining the kids in her pink dress.
“It’s a great time. We have been playing, dancing and waving. It’s so funny being inside the costume and posing for pictures,” Loughlin said.
As you go for the door, you pass through the main entrance and step into the warmth of the building, the heavy-handed way in which the place is decorated will leaves no doubt as to the theme of the event. All the lights are on and the lobby is filled with the joy of the holiday spirit.
Further in the house, the walls are embellished with delicate snowflakes, flowers, beautiful deer images and some pictures of Santa Claus. There are two giant snowmen in the corner on the extreme left, right next to the quarter where for $10 anyone could take a photo with the famous old bearded man.
“Everybody enjoys this time of the year,” said Jane Lee, a resident of East Greenbush.
“It is magic,” she continued, “every night is amazing just because you get to see the kids as they smile and get in line with their parents to go see Santa.”
This franchise owner of Dippin’ Dots got into the business four years ago and has been taking part in the event ever since. Like her, many are here tonight hoping to make good sales.
“It is a little slow for us right now, but I think it will pick up,” said Mel Palmer, co-owner of Gusto Della Vita, a retailer of virgin oils and balsamic vinegar.
“Honestly, I expect to make some money and maybe some contacts; you know, networking,” said Palmer, a first-time participant.
A colorful crowd comprised of men and women occupy the space with their children. They talk, laugh and stop by the stands to see what each vendor has to offer.
As you walk through the room, all kind of scents overwhelm you. From the smell of newly-unwrapped furniture to the scent of freshly made coffee, visitors have a sensory experience.
Sitting behind a stand between two larger chambers, Carly Collins, 21, represents Jiff-e-Chips. Inside the white and yellow packages on her table are a variety of wholesome potato chips. The chips feature an array of different flavors such as ranch, sea salt and cracked pepper, sour cream and vinegar, garlic parmesan, cheddar, and barbecue.
“We’ve got fifteen to sixteen flavors now,” she said. “I was here last Friday and, you know, people like our chips. We are selling a lot of [them].”
Pass the door on the right side of Collins’ booth is a large counter rich of an interesting array of sweets and chocolate item. Behind it is Jen Mero, 30, a cheerful young woman who is here on behalf of Isn’t It Sweet, a handmade chocolates and confections company.
Recently employed by this company’s owners for the holiday season, she said that the age range at the event is really impressive. She also said that having different people stop by her stand and buy some of the items is even better.
“Everyone loves chocolate,” said Mero. “It’s a pretty popular sale.”
Back in the main room, one specific spot at the right end of the room seems to be the trend of the hour: the electric fireplace.
A little girl enters the building with her parents and runs with excitement toward it. A second later, her giggles fill the space and bring a smile to her mother’s face. She places her tiny palm against the glass to feel the heat underneath and pretends to be burning herself by touching it each time.
Five feet from there is Mary Rahmati, 61, responsible for the sales at Patty Tobin jewelry line. On her table can be seen gorgeous handmade necklaces, earrings and bracelets of various shapes, lengths and color. She said that the selling is relatively slow for them right now, but they hope for the best by the end of the month.
“We are optimistic. We are filling in on behalf of another jewelry vendor who decided she couldn’t do it. So, we were a last minute fill-in, but it has been fun,” she said.
A moment later, a balloon bursts in the air and many people turn their head toward the noise only to see a little boy’s frowning and frustrated face as he’s holding fragments of what used to be his sword. He is probably wishing he hadn’t get in fight with his friend. Speaking of wishes, does anyone have a New Year’s resolution yet?
“I don’t do [those],” said Ann Czamare, 55, a resident of North Troy who has been participating in the event since its creation. “People have the tendency not to stick to them.”
Rose, on the other hand plays the game.
“I think I am going to try to find more joy in the world, because sometimes it’s way too easy to find the negative,” Rose said.
One of the positive aspects of the Capital Holiday Lights, besides the fundraising, is its ability to bring together people from different perspectives and backgrounds. Yet another encouraging characteristic is the public’s general understanding of the real reason behind the whole project.
“We do this for the kids. This is really to make them feel the holiday spirit and anything like that to me is good,” said Michael Scales, the traffic facilitator.
The lights will be on throughout the holiday season until Jan. 2, 2016. The entrance to the show is located between Madison Avenue and New Scotland Avenue, after the traffic lights. Admission to drive through the spectacle in the park is $15 per car, but the access to the lake house is free.
