The Catskill Chronicle

Photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (December 2, 2012) – On December 14 and 15, Hilltop Homes will once again open their Santa’s Village for children of all ages.

For four years, Dave Dunlap, owner of Hilltop Homes, has re-created Santa’s workshop and village on his property on Hilltop Road, just outside of Monticello. Dunlap also puts up one of the county’s most fantastic light displays with over 150,000 lights synchronized to music.

All of this came about because of a question a friend asked him a few years ago … “where can you take your kids in Sullivan County to get their pictures taken with Santa?” The answer at the time, was that there wasn’t one.

So Dunlap, along with his wife Corrinne and their children, created their version of Santa’s Village, recruiting friends and relatives to help. Decorating begins each year in early October and volunteers don their best elf outfits to help out during the two-day event.

Over 4,000 people visited Santa’s Village in 2011, and it continues to grow.  Santa’s Village and pictures with Santa are both free. And there’s even free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone that visits.

Additional copies of photos with Santa are available and Hilltop Homes is requesting a $5 donation that will be given to the kids of Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

This year a 5th Anniversary Santa’s Village Coin will also be available for a small donation. Portions of these proceeds will be donated to Sullivan County CASA as well.

Santa’s Village at Hilltop Homes is also a drop off location for Toys For Tots. You can bring a new, unwrapped toy and help fill the Hilltop Homes truck. Thunder 102 will be broadcasting live and Somerville will be performing some of your Holiday favorites on Saturday, December 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the free Santa’s Village, sponsored by Hilltop Homes, on December 14 and 15 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. each night. Hilltop Homes is located at 286 Hilltop Road in Monticello.