Decorating Day promises fun for the whole family

PINE PLAINS — This town has an annual holiday tradition that everyone pretty much agrees is enjoyable — Decorating Day. It started 30 years ago, in 1985. The event was the brainchild of Bill Boyles, who owned the local deli, and Marion Dodge, who worked in the local insurance agency. The pair worked within walking distance of each other and often talked about making holiday plans.

“They started talking and came up with the idea 30 years ago,” said Boyles’s daughter, Kelly Bartholf.

Bartholf called her father a “hometown boy.” She said he lived in Pine Plains for his entire life. He still does, though he’s not as active as he used to be. Along with Dodge, who has since died, Boyles began the festive tradition that has since become an important part of community life.

“That was my thing,” said Boyles, noting that his real contribution was the holiday parade. “My wife called me Mr. Christmas. It was great to see the town come together like that and have a good time and everybody have a smile on their face.”

“I loved it,” said Bartholf. “My girls have been involved with it since they were born. They’ve since moved away but my youngest is coming back to be a part of it this year.”

As are so many others. In fact, the event is currently one of the town’s biggest. It’s now organized by the Pine Plains Business Association’s Ibis Guzman. Guzman said he gives all the credit to Boyles.

“He had the dedication and took the time to build this to what it is today,” Guzman said. “I can’t say  enough about the man. I think it’s something that is worthwhile for the community to know and understand. Sure, it was the effort of a specific group, but he took it and ran with it for several years.”

About seven or eight years ago Guzman took over the reigns of Decorating Day. He said it’s more than a holiday tradition, it’s a town-wide priority.

“Decorating Day is a community wide event where everyone is welcome to help decorate the town,” he said. “We have several trees placed downtown and we give out all the decorations: bows, lights, ornaments. Several of the businesses offer hot chocolate and cookies to warm you up, because it’s freezing cold sometimes. In the center of town there’s Santa and Mrs. Claus. The kids get crayons and coloring books and we have a P.A. system set up playing Christmas music. At 5 p.m. we do the Parade of Lights, with an average of 40 to 50 floats.”

The floats are manned by a wide assortment of participants, ranging from the Boy Scouts to local businesses to area fire departments. There’s even a float from as far away as Port Jervis.

“They’re all highly decorated,” said Guzman with pride. “There are tons of lights everywhere, and the community really gathers around. I have the pleasure of announcing the whole parade and all the floats and as far as I can see in either direction both sides of the street are lined eight or nine people deep. It’s a very well-attended event and one of the highlights of the community.”

There’s even a Facebook page for Decorating Day, under the Pine Plains Business Association, with photos from years past. Guzman said every year it gets better and better.

“It’s essentially flourished, and every year I can pretty much guarantee it will grow a little more,” he said. 

As far as his favorite part of the day, Guzman said it’s witnessing the joy of the youngest participants.

“The children. The smiles. It’s Christmas and their eyes light up when the firetrucks come all decorated and they get to sit with Santa,” he said. “That, to me, is my favorite part. And seeing the families together.”

But Decorating Day doesn’t just happen. It takes the generous donations of community members and businesses to make the day a reality. Money raised for Decorating Day goes toward decorations, lights, extension cords, crayons, coloring books, cookies and hot chocolate.

“The event is designed so that you can come, park your vehicle, leave your wallet and leave your purse behind, and not need to buy anything,” said Guzman. 

Bartholf agreed, it’s a day for family and a day of fun.

“I still give out cookies and hot chocolate in the tent,” she said. “That’s the one thing that I do. I help where I can and still try to be a little bit involved.”

So, too, does her father.

“I’ve got cancer, and a few other problems, but I do go and look and see what they’re doing over there. The group that took over is really doing a good job. One year they had four horse-drawn hay wagons; that really set it off nicely.”

For more information about how to get involved, call Guzman at 518-398-5500.

Decorating Day is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. this year. The rain date is set for Sunday, Nov. 29. Decorations may be picked up in the center of town.