What was once one of Columbia County’s biggest block parties, Hudson New York’s beloved Winter Walk has evolved into the area’s most festive event of the year and crucially, the busiest night for many local shops and restaurants. For the past two decades, Hudson Hall at the Hudson Opera House has produced Winter Walk and despite this year’s challenges, are looking to putting on the titular event once again as safely as possible. This year, leaders at Hudson Hall are turning to the community for help in launching the 2020 Winter Walk. “Like so many live events venues, the pandemic has hit Hudson Hall hard,” say the folks at Hudson Hall according to a GoFundMe page. “When the coronavirus crisis shut our city down, we stepped up to support our community through the Shared Streets initiative, PPE distribution and our Workforce Development program. We kept our staff employed and maintained our historic building to ensure we would be ready to open when it was safe to do so.”

With no reopening dates for the live arts in sight, venues are understandably stretched to the breaking point. Local shops and restaurants are also suffering and the small business community at large has been under enormous stress. However, as 2020 finally comes to an end and winter begins to settle in, organizers are hopeful to bring a bit of much needed joy and cheer. Enter Winter Walk 2020: The Hudson Safe Edition. Instead of packing thousands onto Warren Street in a single night, Winter Walk 2020 will be stretched out over 20 days of December. Organizers encourage visitors to shop and dine local while they enjoy Hudson for the entire month during Winter Walk with more than a few favorite traditions returning including: Fireworks, Sax-o-Claus solo improv down Warren Street, late night shopping and dining, decorated shop windows, Santa’s Village at 7th Street Park, Christmas Tree and Chanukah Menorah lighting ceremonies and a COVID-safe Rip the Nut installation for families.

“This can only happen if we continue to come together as a community,” say organizers. “(With the community’s help, we can) bring Winter Walk 2020 to life — we could all use the extra light, joy and community spirit in Hudson this December.” According to its GoFundMe page, an encouraging goal has already been met as organizers have already been able to fix up some of the huts in Santa’s village as well as covering the next 100 gift wrapped books. 

 

The GoFundMe is running November 19-December 5. For more information or to make a donation follow this link