Update, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.: The East Hampton Village Santa Parade has been canceled due to high winds and anticipated rain. A decisiion about the tree lighting at 4:30 p.m. on the Hook Mill Green will be made at noon and posted on the village's website and Facebook page.
Original, Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m.: Weather permitting, a day of holiday cheer in East Hampton Village on Saturday will begin with the annual Santa Parade, set to step off from the south part of Main Street at 11 a.m.
Floats, fire trucks, marching bands, decked-out tractors, scout troops, and the Jolly Old Elf himself will proceed from near the Presbyterian Church to Newtown Lane, ending west of the East Hampton Middle School.
While some holiday shopping or a bite to eat might be enough to keep you in the village until 4:30, when a tree lighting sponsored by Prada happens at the Hook Mill green, there are other things to do as well.
The Baker House 1650, a historic inn at 181 Main Street will host an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors will be treated to cookies, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate by fireplace at the inn, which is all decked out for the holidays.
A few blocks away, the Ladies Village Improvement Society will welcome visitors during a holiday open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet little ones, hear their wish lists, and pass out seasonal treats at L.V.I.S. headquarters in the Gardiner Brown House.
Rain is expected on Saturday, which could force a change of plans. The village will check the forecast and decide at 8 a.m. whether to hold the parade and by noon about the tree lighting. Parade participants will be notified by email; spectators can check for a notification on the village's website at easthamptonvillage.org.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Santa will arrive by helicopter in Herrick Park at noon. There will be Dreesen's donuts to munch on beforehand, from 11 a.m. to noon, and then families can head to the East Hampton Cinemas for a free 1 p.m. screening of "The Polar Express."