Chappaqua Ready for a Holiday Stroll

Come Saturday afternoon, if all goes according to plan downtown Chappaqua will be filled with ice sculptures, carollers and refreshments from merchants.

The new festivities are part of the first annual holiday stroll, which is being organized by the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

Rob Greenstein, a member who helped co-found the chamber late last spring, hope that it will be the "start of a tradition." He believes that holiding the event on Saturday, combined with the New Castle Historical Society's annual tree lighting and the Chappaqua Orchestra's concert at Robert E. Bell Middle School, will be good for downtown turnout.

The NCHS announced that it is hold its tree lighting at 4:30 p.m. at the Horace Greeley House (100 King St.), with Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir performing. The lighting will be preceded by the Chappaqua Orchestra's concert, which will start at 3:30 p.m. and a holiday crafts and open house at the Greeley house from 1-4 p.m.

Tara Mikolay, co-founder of Desires by Mikolay, is excited for the event. Her store is sponsoring it and paying for the ice sculpting, which may be done with a chain saw and torch.

"I'm huge into 'Let's create it,'" Mikolay said of holding an event.

"I can't wait to bring my kids to watch that," said Cindy Lupica, who owns Marmalade, located on lower King Street. Her store will be among those participating, with painting activities for holiday ornaments and mugs available.