1. Albany City Hall Tree Lighting (early December)

Hands down, my favorite part of being a Tulip this year has been the exposure to all of the events in the City of Albany that I simply didn’t even know existed.

This includes the City Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony, which took place in front of City Hall this past Wednesday, December 3rd. Our role didn’t give me much to write home about (we helped flip the big switch to turn on the lights at City Hall with two sweet kids and their mom; I joked that there was someone behind the scenes, ready to plug in the cord for the lights as soon as we used our combined six person strength to pull that sucker down), but the event itself was lovely. Facilitated by Mayor Sheehan and with free donuts, cider, and coffee from the ever awesome Cider Bellies Doughnuts on South Pearl (which will undoubtedly get its own entry in the near future) and beautiful carols by a women’s chorus from Albany High, it made me wish more people knew about and had attended the event (I made sure to relay the news that there was free food to my poor, starving, sleep-deprived classmates). After, the other Tulips and I went in to City Hall to check out the fun decorations they had put up since our last monthly meeting at the end of November.

(Last photo courtesy of the Albany Events Facebook page)

Albany City Hall Tree Lighting

When and Where: Early December; City Hall (24 Eagle St. Albany)

Highlights: Adorable small children in all of their winter layers abound; free Cider Bellies; Christmas-y spirit with awesome, live music; policemen on horses were a great touch

Cost: Free

Good for: Families, friends, date

Would I go again?: Yes, but with gloves next time!