The Village of Montgomery juggled numerous responsibilities throughout 2024, from board meetings and code updates to a mayoral election and a New York Forward review process. After finishing a long year, the community unwound with An Olde Fashioned Holiday on December 14 and Operation Toy Train on December 15, two annual traditions that stirred the holiday spirit and helped families that needed presents.

Starting with An Olde Fashioned Holiday, the Montgomery Fire Department and First Presbyterian Church kicked off the day with a tree and wreath sale and a soup-to-go fundraiser respectively. Several vendors set up shop along Clinton Street and the municipal parking lot, providing passersby with winter decor, gift ideas, and hot food. While attendance was a little slow initially, more residents gradually arrived to hear Valley Central students perform several songs, watch the First Presbyterian Church’s Live Nativity, and take pictures with Santa Claus at the Clinton Street Bandstand.

Around 4:30 p.m., attendees crowded around Wallkill Avenue to watch the celebration’s tractor parade, courtesy of Village Trustees Kevin Conero and Randy Wilbur, featuring several vehicles adorned with colorful lights and whimsical decorations. After the parade, attendees scurried to the village hall to watch the event’s tree lighting. The village hall’s tree, previously a dark and thorny bundle of branches, shined an extraordinary light blue, appearing almost crystal-like and contrasting the oranges cast by the nearby street lamps. The very sight made everyone jump for joy and run around full of energy despite the freezing temperatures.

Residents returned for more festivities the next day for the village’s Operation Toy Train at the Wallkill and Railroad Avenue intersection. Every year between October and December, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation travels across the country by train to collect new toys from various communities. After collecting them, the Marines will distribute these toys to children in need within the donors’ respective communities.

At 12:45 p.m., hordes of attendees watched the train arrive in the village and cheered on Santa as he returned for a second visit. For the next hour, volunteers loaded the toys onto the train while Santa dealt with a long line of children and their parents eager to meet him. After all the toys were packed up, Santa and his helper waved goodbye as they boarded the train and set off for a new municipality, capping off another successful holiday weekend in the village.