The 22nd Annual Indian Lake Country Christmas Tour (CCT) has been set for Friday, November 29th, and Saturday, November 30th.

This year’s theme “Made in the Adirondacks” invites visitors and shoppers to an inside view of the lives and work of many local and regional artisans and crafters.

This town-wide holiday activity is designed to promote community pride and holiday spirit. This annual event is a self-guided tour to visit with local artisans and crafters who offer a variety of holiday gift items for sale in their homes, Indian Lake Central School Gym and at various locations throughout town.

Artisan and Crafter Home Visits

Visit with Mary Vianese to enjoy her great collection of unique hand-crafted gifts items that she makes using natural materials including stones, birch bark and twigs, flowers, gourds and pine needles. In addition, Mary also crafts one-of-a-kind greeting cards, jewelry, hand-painted loons, bears, herons, moose and other Adirondack critters along with framed pressed flowers.

Kelly and Meghan Ameden and Sandy Davis invite shoppers to visit with them to see wintery scenes, pinecones and mountain landscapes that adorn hand-painted glass ornaments, glasses, coasters and lighted wine bottles. Also, check out their knitted neck wraps, hats, scarves and gloves and soy candle melts.

View light bulb Christmas ornaments, meticulously painted Toll items and pen and ink oil rougings when visiting Jeanne Puterko and Lori Scott. These two artisans created these items for CCT holiday shoppers.

Live demonstrations on how to make and decorate wreaths and kissing balls are included in shoppers’ visit with Linda and Rachel McInerney. Linda will also have cupcakes for sale that are skillfully decorated and feature bears, foxes, owls and a host of other Adirondack animals. Also available will be rustic and wooden decorations, fleece pillows, blankets and more. Donna Benton offers felt animal ornaments and buckeyes, her signature crafts.

Brooke Thivierge will assist visitors with home decorations with her nature inspired paintings and pottery. Homes and camps can become more welcoming with hand-made quilts, hot pot pads, balsam bags, potholders, fresh balsam wreaths, pillows and baskets when their purchases are made at Homemade Quilts and Crafts. Also, sample and purchase Bill and Kathy Herrick’s Indian Lake maple products and jams.

Visitors who check out the North Country Crafters will find a host of A to Z Adirondack homemade items. All of North Country Crafters’ proceeds are donated to Indian Lake charities.

Family Fun Activities

Mr. and Mrs. Claus will present special Christmas stories designed for children at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Cookies will be served and families are invited to take souvenir photos with this famous couple. Also, following Story Time, youth of all ages are invited to participate in the annual Candy Cane Hunt.

While parents shop for holiday gifts, youngsters can attend the “Gifts to Give” Children’s Workshop with Leddy Johnson. This annual workshop is designed to engage youngsters in hands-on experiences as they craft their own holiday gifts. The Workshop is free and will include crafting pinecone bird feeders, decorative fans, pencil people and more.

Theater Fun

Stop by the Indian Lake Theater to see free holiday classic movies.

Final 2019 CCT Activity

The Country Christmas Tour Closing Ceremony will be held in the Indian Lake Central School Gym on Saturday and will include CCT Artisan and Crafter Raffles and “Let There Be Lights” Contest winner announcements. During the Ceremony, business owners and the general public are invited to join with the Steering Committee and crafters and artisans to pay special tribute to Jeanne Turner, a CCT artisan and Committee member for over 20 years.

Many shoppers return to Indian Lake each year to get a jump on holiday shopping by purchasing their gifts during the Country Christmas Tour. First time visitors to Indian Lake can locate all artisans and crafters, businesses and activities with ease. Programs will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall, Indian Lake Central School Gym, businesses and at the homes of artisans and crafters.

For further Country Christmas Tour information, contact Brenda Valentine at (518) 648-5636 or Mary Vianese at (518) 648-5740.

Photo of Homemade Quilts and Crafts provided by Indian Lake.