Annual greens show makes patriotic return
TROY, N.Y. » The Van Rensselaer Garden Club will present its 61st Annual Holiday Greens Show beginning Thursday at the Hart- Cluett House in downtown Troy.
The theme of this year’s show is Home for the Holidays, and guests who attend any of the shows — which take place from noon to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday — will have the opportunity to visit 13 rooms in the elegant, circa-1827, Federal-style house at 57 2nd St., each transformed into a unique holiday display. More than 50 club members traditionally decorate the home of the Rensselaer County Historical Society with fresh trees, an abundance of flowers and lush greens, including boxwood, holly and fiji, with all the displays fresh, grown or purchased personally for the show.
“[ With] Home for the Holidays, we wanted to stay in line with the historical society, and we just thought that it would be a nice tribute to the military,” said Van Rensselaer Garden Club Greens Show Chairwoman Paula Carrucci.
“The exhibits at the historical society this year is ‘Doughboys to Dylan: Changing the Times on the Rensselaer County Homefront,’ and it’s about coming home and what’s happening on the homefront after World War I and [the] Vietnam War because it’s the anniversary of those,” added Rensselaer County Historical Society’s Executive Director Karin Krasevac-Lenz.
Guests can go on self-guided tours and talk with members of the society and garden club or other community volunteers who can provide
additional information on each room and the different greens on display.
The show will also include several special events over its four-day run, beginning from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, when admission is free on a community night sponsored by Duncan & Cahill and Stewart’s Shops. Kids will also be able to make holiday crafts Thursday night, as well as enjoy story time with Santa Claus under the Christmas tree in the front parlor.
Friday will be The Sage Colleges Day, with Sage faculty, staff and students getting free admission with their college ID. Guests can also participate in a silent wreath auction that will close at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The show usually draws visitors from throughout the region, with organizers saying thousands will walk through the show over the four days.
“It’s fascinating to see all of the creativity by our members and just seeing all of the rooms come to life,” said Carrucci.
One new feature encourages guests to bring in their own letters that can be placed in a mailbox and sent to members of the military, while children will also have the chance to make photos to send to members of the military. Each room will also include décor related to a patriotic theme as a way to honor the military.
Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children ages 5 and older, with children under age 4 admitted free.