To the editor:

There is a question that has been bothering me for a few years now: Why is it that our town has two village tree lightings? I write this as a genuinely confused local parent and citizen.

We have a beautiful tree at Riverside Park that has been donated for a few years now and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers … and then we have a tree at Berkeley Green organized by the village, with a truck parade attached. I care far less about who is behind each event than I do about the fact that we’re splitting what could be one meaningful community celebration. Instead of maximizing attendance and joy, families are left choosing which one to attend.

Shouldn’t “Light Up Saranac Lake” include all of Saranac Lake? Why are we creating a strange divide over something meant to spread joy? Why are parents pressured into rushing between two events back-to-back just so their kids don’t miss out? Why is only one event receiving full village resources? Riverside Park relies on volunteers to find music, supply treats, decorate, light the tree — and they do it gladly — but shouldn’t they be seen as part of the village effort and included in the excitement?

I truly believe we have enough people, passion and creativity to combine these events into something wonderful and welcoming for everyone. Local businesses could be involved too. We already have the downtown event on Dec. 13 encouraging shopping, yet we flood the streets at 6 p.m. for the parade with nowhere for families to really go beforehand. Couldn’t we merge these ideas? Imagine downtown shopping and activities happening in both parks from 2 to 5 p.m., including a meet-and-greet with Santa before toddlers’ bedtimes, followed by a 5 p.m. parade and lighting both trees together. I’ve seen posts noting that the village has struggled to get downtown businesses to participate in window decorating — could this help? Add a window-decorating contest, encourage shoppers to vote and build more community spirit.

As a parent, each year I juggle feeding kids dinner, getting them out to see Santa, and then trying to wind them back down for bed. They absolutely love the lights — but the event timing makes it far less kid-friendly than intended. A Santa meet-and-greet from 7 to 9 p.m., with families standing in a line down the street in 9-degree weather, is just tough on little ones.

I understand the “Light Up Saranac Lake” event began years ago, but does that mean it’s locked in forever and can’t evolve into something that brings our community together even more?

Is this meant for the kids and the community, or for something else?

I love any opportunity to get out and enjoy local activities with kids, family and friends, but two frigid nights for the same purpose feels like a missed opportunity. One united, family-friendly celebration would be so much more meaningful.

Kristina Clifford

Saranac Lake