HUDSON – Preparations for the 23rd annual Hudson Winterwalk, held on December 7 this year, are swirling up and down Warren Street. Plans include a Santa parade in honor of Ellen Thurston, a community activist who was one of the founders of the first Winterwalk in 1997.
Other good spirits helping to honor the season in this celebration are past, current and future mayors Rick Scalera, Kenneth Cranna, Richard Tracy, William Hallenbeck, Tiffany Martin Hamilton, current Mayor Rick Rector and Mayor Elect Kamal Johnson.
At Hudson Hall, where Winterwalk originates, fantastic devices for the procession were being prepared Monday, November 18, which included giant paper mache representations of the four elements and a giant bird puppet operated by six puppeteers. The bird was constructed by members of Camphill Hudson and Perfect Ten, an afterschool program for girls. Each of the feathers that cover the bird and the masks that the puppeteers wear is individually patterned and attached.
The public is invited to participate in the parade on Saturday, December 7 at 5 p.m., which will start at city hall and move down to Hudson Hall where Santa will hold court.