‘A Christmas Experience’ Unlike Any Other in the Region is Coming to Westchester
Christmas in America is nearly synonymous with the spectacular holiday décor on display in New York City including the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens Angels, Macy’s Department Store, the Cartier building on 5th Avenue, and Radio City Musical Hall. American Christmas, the company that decorates those iconic buildings and many more, have opened the doors to their 110,000 square foot warehouse at 30 Warren Place in Mt. Vernon to the public for the first time starting.
Not only are visitors treated to a breathtaking stroll through Santa’s Village featuring larger-than-life displays, several Dickens interactive vignettes where families can take holiday photos, and 50 mesmerizing animatronics, they also have an opportunity to see a section of the warehouse where this year’s New York City decorations are being created and assembled by the American Christmas ‘elves.” The tour culminates with a stop in the charming American Christmas shop which features some of the most unique ornaments and decorations found anywhere in the region. Children are able to visit with Santa in the Village on specific days which are posted to the American Christmas website.
For those who love ‘a Christmas past,’ there is be a pop-up store where one-of-a-kind vintage decorations are available for purchase including pieces used on television shows and in major department store displays in past years. The pop-up is open through December 22nd and new items are added every day.
“We live Christmas year-round, and we are thrilled to open our warehouse as a gift to the people who love Christmas as much as we do,” says Dan Casterella, American Christmas Chief Executive Officer, and an employee of the company for the past 20 years. “We are successful because of the resources here in our community—and we want to create an unforgettable experience for them and give back this holiday season. We are happy to be donating proceeds from ticket sales to several local organizations who do so much to support our youth and families.”
Several special ‘tour guides’ are on hand throughout the event including Bob Soloff, President of American Christmas who has a 20-year history with the company and Steve Lusardi, Retail Manager for American Christmas as well as other American Christmas staff members.
Tickets for the Christmas Experience are available online and 100% of ticket sales will be donated to several Mt. Vernon nonprofit organizations. Beneficiaries will include The Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club, North East STEM Academy, and Youth Community Outreach Program of Mt. Vernon. A special fundraiser will be held on December 3rd for Ronald McDonald house and tickets will be available on the Ronald McDonald house website.
American Christmas will host a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting on November 4th at noon which will include members of the nonprofit organizations as well as local dignitaries and elected officials.
Santa’s Village weekday hours are from 11:00 am until 7:30 pm; weekend hours from 9:30 am until 7:30 pm. The vintage pop-up store will also be open through December 23rd with weekday hours from 10:30 am until 7:30 pm; weekend hours from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. Prices are $10 per ticket for a 15-minute time slot during the week and $15 per ticket on weekends. Free parking is available in the front of the building. Tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/santas-village
American Christmas was founded Marvin Schwam in 1968 as an offshoot of his business selling artificial plants and flowers. It was acquired by MK Illumination in 2017, making it the largest provider of festive lighting in the world. It provides turnkey solutions for incredibly complex and intricate commercial Christmas displays used by retail stores, building lobbies, corporate headquarters, hotels, malls and more. American Christmas services include design and development, manufacturing and assembly, distribution, installation, removal, refurbishment, and storage. The Mount Vernon warehouse has 70 full-time employees but expands to over 400 during the holiday season. For information, visit www.americanchristmas.com
More Information on the Nonprofit Organizations Benefitting from Ticket Sales:
• Mount Vernon boys and Girls Club has been providing a safe and nurturing environment for students before and after school since 1912. More than 1,400 children and teens each day engage in a wide variety of interactive activities and programs to help them improve their self- esteem, develop positive values, and achieve their highest potential in academic success.
• North East STEM Academy provides students with access and exposure to enriched STEM learning that can empower them with the desire, motivation and skills needed to pursue careers as doctors, scientists, technologists and engineers.
• The Youth Community Outreach Program (Y-COP) was founded in 1990 by Allen Ayers, former Detective of the Mount Vernon Police Department. The program introduces its youth to programs that emphasize, enhance and enrich their educational, recreational, community, and cultural awareness.
• For over 47 years, Ronald McDonald House has ensured that families with a sick child have access to the care and resources they need.