Port Washington's run into the holidays has three dates on it this month: a community talent show, the 51st running of the town's Thanksgiving morning race, and a Small Business Saturday that ends with Santa riding a fire truck the length of the peninsula. Here is what each involves, from the listings the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and the groups behind them have posted.

Nov. 14: Port's Got Talent

The Port Washington Adult Activities Center holds its biggest fundraiser of the year, a variety show of local residents singing, dancing and performing, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street. Tickets are $25 and are sold at pwaac.org or at the center itself, 80 Manorhaven Boulevard. Profits pay for the center's hot lunch, exercise, art and other programs.

Nov. 26: the 51st Thanksgiving Day Run

The Thanksgiving Day 5-Mile Run, now in its 51st year, starts and finishes at Manorhaven Park on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. It is run as the Run for the Red Feather and benefits the Port Washington Community Chest, which supports 29 local nonprofits that serve more than 7,000 Port Washington residents. Registration is online through Elite Feats, with separate rates for adults and for runners ages 9 to 21, and higher fees for those who sign up late.

Nov. 28: Port Holiday Magic

Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, is Port Holiday Magic, organized with the Port Washington Business Improvement District. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free. Participating stores put out specials all day and mark themselves with large stars in the window. The schedule:

  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: a free trolley loops Main Street for shoppers, and Olaf and the Grinch walk Main Street.
  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m.: a sing-along with Bobby Garofalo.
  • Noon: Santa begins his ride on a fire truck, starting on Port Washington Boulevard and continuing down Main Street, Shore Road and Manorhaven Boulevard.
  • Noon to 3 p.m.: the Singing Toy Soldiers stop in at participating stores on Main Street.
  • 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: carolers from the Theater Company.

Costumed characters and the Elf on the Loose will also be out on the street. Street parking is free for the day.

Planning the month

The fire truck route is the one piece of the day that moves, so families who want to see Santa should pick a spot on Main Street, Shore Road or Manorhaven Boulevard shortly after noon. Questions about Holiday Magic go to the chamber at 516-767-1552. The chamber's full calendar, including other November events at Landmark on Main Street and around town, is at pwcoc.org.

Sources