Huntington Holiday Street Festival Canceled; Parade Still On

UPDATE: This year's holiday celebrations in Huntington Village will consist of a parade and a quick parade and tree lighting ceremony on Main Street and Wall Street on Saturday. The Wall Street Festival and other planned activities have been cancelled due to the weather forecast.

Wall Street Festival and other planned activities have been cancelled.

“Bring your umbrellas and join us for the Huntington Holiday Parade, which is still on, rain or shine,” Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci said in a press release. “Use the Interactive Parade Map and shop our local merchants on Small Business Saturday.”

This year's Ninth Annual Holiday Parade is set to be a "Winter Wonderland" theme. About 5,000 to 10,000 individuals were expected to attend.

The day before the festivities, Nov. 23, residents can line up along Huntington Harbor during the evening to see boats, homes and businesses illuminate the water during the Huntington Lighthouse Parade of Lights.

Here's what you can expect during this celebration in Huntington Village:

• The Huntington Holiday Parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. starting at Big H Shopping Center on New York Avenue and will continue north to Main Street and then west on Main Street to West Neck Road. The parade will feature a float theme, "Winter Wonderland," and judges will vote for the best floats in several categories. Lupinacci and singer, songwriter and founding member of the New York Bee Gees, Peter Mazzeo, will serve as co-Grand Marshals for the parade. Fire departments will go head-to-head in a friendly competition to decide who gets to play Santa Claus in the 2018 parade.

• Tree Lighting Ceremony— The parade will lead into the tree lighting ceremony. Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be performances by the America’s Got Talent finalist, the Huntington Chamber Choir and others.
• CANCELED— Wall Street Festival— Following the tree lighting ceremony, the festival will continue on Wall Street where there will be music, games, food, hot chocolate, face painting, an area to pay to visit Santa Claus, bouncy houses and more.
• CANCELED— Holiday crafts and activities for children will be at both the Huntington Public Library and Panera Bread will kick off at 1 p.m.
• CANCELED— Third Annual Scavenger Hunt for children and parents will kick off in front of Ben and Jerry’s on Main Street at 1 p.m.
• CANCELED— Fourth Annual Gingerbread House competition is for amateur bakers ages 12 and up can enter. Finalist entries will be on display in the windows of The Paramount for public voting on Saturday, Nov. 24. After the festival, all of the finalists will be on display in the lobby of Town Hall throughout December and January.
• The interactive map, which can be accessed on your smartphone, will offer information about participating merchants and if they're offering any good deals. It also provides details on parking availability, parade details and a guide to the festival.
• Free parking will be available at the Huntington train station with a free shuttle from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Small Business Saturday— the Town of Huntington says to check with merchants in the village regarding Small Business Saturday.
• Roads will be temporarily closed from approximately 4:45 p.m., with the parade kicking off at 5:30 p.m., at the Big H Shopping Center going north on New York Avenue, west on Main Street/25A, north on West Neck Road, east on Gerard Street, ending at Wall Street with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Roads to reopen after parade passes.

Flyer via Town of Huntington