Schroon laker collection. All rights reserved

For three decades folks in Schroon have kicked off the Christmas season with a little old’ weekend celebration -- that has now become a very big deal -- to kick start the Christmas season.

And with mother nature somehow stuck in spring like temperatures, it’s gonna be a bonza weekend for everyone to get out and come up to Schroon and experience this Norman Rockewelllesque tradition.

The four-day celebration gets its unofficial kick off on Thursday night at Sticks and Stones, with their Nacho Noche Thursday.Eduardo is whipping up some south of the border favorites with a few menu tweaks!.

Further south, Witherbee’s Carriage House with Mark Piper and the gang will b raising spirits with a sampling of Christmas favorites, performed by their regular Open Mic performers, which features some of our area’s finest musicians.

Beginning Friday stock up on some heavily discounted bargain gifts from The Towne Store. Their weekend hours are Friday and Saturday 10 am - 8 pm and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm. Just down the street, Pine Cone Mercantile continue their daily deals.

On Saturday Main Street comes alive with multiple events throughout the day. At 10am the Schroon Lake Community Church holds their Christmas Bazaar, which includes Granny’s Attic: a sale of gently used and new items, a bake sale, with a yummy Soup and Sandwich lunch until 2pm.

Also kicking off at 10 am, the North Woods Bread Company and a band of volunteer bakers are cooking up some sweet treats for a unique fundraiser for the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce. Hurry before all the goodies are gone. The event is over at 3 pm.

Also check out Giant Mountain Studio for some last minute one of a kind gifts. And for the beer lover in your life, our friends at the Paradox Brewery have a large range of clothing, glassware and beer pulls! Joanie will happily make up a gift basket for the Paradox lover in your life.

Starting at 10am stop in at the Schroon Lake Area Chamber Office and buy your raffle tickets for some jaw dropping Holiday Baskets.

From 3pm to 7pm it’s the 3rd Annual Craft & Food Bazaar at Town Hall meeting room. The official Tree Lighting, Caroling and Nativity Walk starts at the Town Park at 5.30 pm.

And, drum roll please, Santa arrives at the at the Strand Theater at 6pm – on a BIG RED FIRE TRUCK -- where he will be posing for pictures and hearing wish lists until 7:30pm. Uncle Larry and Aunty Liz McNamara proudly sponsor this event.

Around town check out-- from 6 pm to 8 pm ongoing activities with numerous musical acts, Cocoa & Cookies at Senior Center, Horse & Wagon Rides and Kids Crafts, popcorn, and balloons the Glens Falls Bank.

And check out two concerts from the talented performers from the Schroon Lake Central School at the Community Church. At 6pm there’s a Bell Choir Ringing performance and at 6.30pm it’s the school’s chorus and band.

Be sure to visit the Friends Of Schroon Lake Library table at the Chamber office for raffle tickets for an awesome quilt. Drawings for all raffles -- and the quilt -- take place at 7pm. And you need not be present to win.

Need a place to stay? Check out the Schroon Lake Place, one of our sponsors, right in the heart of Schroon, The Paradox B&B and the Schroon Lake B&B. A full list of accommodation is available by calling the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce. And you won’t go hungry – or thirsty. Here’s a handy dandy guide to area eateries:

Witherbee’s Carriage House Restaurant, Sticks & Stones, DeCesare’s Pizzeria, Flanagan’s Pub & Grill, Timberwolf Pub, Pitkin’s Restaurant and Shirley’s Diner.