Featured photo: The Grinch hugs child while Mrs. Claus looks on in a Christmas play being held at the Crossroads Village opera house.
By Tanya Terry
It’s almost Christmas time-and the lights are all around the village at Crossroads Village for the annual Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic event!
Looking like she just stepped out of a scene from a movie based in the turn of the century, Melissa Mahan, assistant parks operations manager for Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, explained the lights are on every tree, on every building and every fence in the village that has been called a “living history museum.”
“The train even has lights on it,” Mahan added with a genuine smile. “There will be lights all around the train ride itself. We have displays that are lit up. On the loop on the train, you can see the 12 days of Christmas lit up.”
There is also a Tree of Lights wrapped completely in lights.
“We have a contest and you can guess how many lights are on the tree,” Mahan explained.
Those who guess correctly can receive passes to revisit the village.
“I think this year there’s more lights than ever. It’s something people can enjoy, and it gets people in the holiday spirit.”
In the opera house, there is a Christmas play in which characters invite the audience to sing along with them.
Kids can also make Christmas ornaments and write letters to Santa.
Retail locations within Crossroads Village include the General Store, and there is a toy store in the same area. There is also a candy store.
Village artisans are spread out through the village. There is a printer on Main Street and a toy maker in the same area. Village visitors can see a doctor from a previous era. The blacksmith shop is also open this time of year.
Many visitors enjoy getting roasted almonds at the Fenton Broom Barn.
For an additional cost, visitors can ride Huckleberry Railroad, a vintage train. The tracks it rides on are from the 19th century. Masks are required and provided for the train ride.
In addition, there are vintage amusement rides.
There is also a Christmas buffet visitors can take pleasure in. Usually, the buffet consists of chicken, ham or roast beef, cold salads, vegetables, mashed potatoes and sometimes even macaroni and cheese. Seating for the buffet has been limited to about 75 guests due to COVID safety precautions.
“We try to keep the tradition alive here. The last couple years we’ve had the Grinch here, strolling the village, handing out treats to people. We try to add lights to switch things up. What we do, people just love so much-we’ve never had to change a lot of what we do.”
For tickets or details, visit geneseecountyparks.org. For train reservations, call 800-648-PARK.
