Bells usher in the holiday season
Officials kick off the start of the holiday season during event Wednesday
TROY, N.Y. – The annual Ringing of the Bells on the Riverfront Park Staircase ushered in the holiday shopping season in downtown Troy Wednesday.
Members of the Troy Business Improvement District , Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and politicians including, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, all spoke about shopping and holiday events set to take place in Troy during the course of the next month or more.
Some of the highlighted festivities include the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, Shop Small Saturday in downtown Troy and the 36th annual Troy Victorian Stroll.
According to Executive Director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District Katie Hammon, , there are “120 businesses downtown considered small businesses, unique boutiques, restaurants, bars.”
Hammon also noted the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and the many events accompanying Shop Small Saturday. “There will be selfies with Santa, a trolley ride, donations for the Boys & Girls Club, gift wrapping at the Troy Farmers’ Market. Cyber Monday, where you can visit local businesses with websites. Giving Tuesday, where businesses donate a percentage of their sales,” Hammon said.
Hammon also highlighted the feature of free parking on nights and weekends and extended holiday hours as well.
Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce President Kate Manley
also talked about the 36th annual Troy Victorian Stroll, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11-5 with, “more than 100 activities and entertainers,” Man-
ley noted.
Issuing a proclamation designating Nov. 24 as Small Business Saturday, Mayor Madden stressed the importance of supporting the local economy, especially in downtown Troy.
“We’re making a big deal of it because Troy mer-
chants, restaurants and breweries have so much to offer in terms of gifts, you’ll find unique gifts in Troy that tell the person you’re giving the gift to that they’re special,” Madden said.
“These are not things you’ll find in the malls or on Amazon or online, you’ll only find them in downtown Troy,” Madden added of the special custom local touch.
“A byproduct of that [shopping local] is it supports the local economy, the dollars you spend in Troy stay in Troy. They get recycled and they generate more opportunities, they generate more jobs and businesses, the businesses and restaurants make Troy unique, that’s why people come here. I encourage you to do all of your Christmas shopping in downtown Troy,” Madden said of how buying local helps support everyone down the chain in the community.
People interested in all of the fun seasonal shopping, and events around downtown Troy can check them out at www.downtowntroy.org/holidays-in-troy-2018