There’s a moment each year—just as the air sharpens and the first holiday lights flicker to
life—when The Windmill feels less like a marketplace and more like a memory. A place where the smell of warm cider and kettle corn drifts across the lanes, mingling with the sound of laughter, clinking mugs, and the gentle shuffle of shoppers wrapped in scarves. It takes me back to childhood winters when Christmas lists were handwritten, candy canes were treasures, and every visit held the promise of finding something handmade, heartfelt, and just a little magical. The Windmill in December is a storybook world all its own—part nostalgia, part tradition, and entirely rooted in the joy that brings us back year after year.
In the heart of The Windmill’s holiday storybook, there is a chapter wrapped in ribbon and wonder—the weekend when the market itself seems to lean in and whisper, “Thank you for being part of our tale.” It begins with frosted breath in the air, boots crunching along familiar paths, and the gentle hum of a crowd that knows this place by heart. Lanterns glow a bit brighter, as if excited to see old friends return. Merchants straighten their displays with the care of toy-makers preparing for a grand celebration. And just when the morning light settles across the rooftops, the magic arrives—reindeer hooves tapping out a cheerful rhythm, Santa waving from his sleigh, Mrs. Claus laughing like jingling bells, and elves dancing as if they’ve tumbled right out of the pages. Customer Appreciation Weekend is where The Windmill becomes a living fairytale—one filled with cozy nostalgia, unexpected prizes, warm greetings, and a sprinkle of North Pole sparkle. It’s a moment when every visitor, every vendor, every smile becomes part of the story.
🎅 Santa’s Arrival — When Magic Comes Through the Gates
The magic arrives on Black Friday, an extra day of holiday cheer that feels like a gift all its own. If you listen closely on that early morning at The Windmill, you can almost hear the whisper of sleigh bells before you ever see them. The air seems to brighten, children’s eyes grow wide, and even the grown-ups—whether they admit it or not—feel that familiar flutter of wonder.
Then, just as the clock leans toward nine, the story comes alive: reindeer trotting proudly through the gates, Santa lifting a mittened hand in greeting, his cheeks rosy from the journey. He doesn’t simply arrive at The Windmill—he returns, like an old friend stepping back onto the page of a favorite Christmas book. And for a few magical hours, the market glows with the kind of joy that can only be carried in by sleigh.
From 9:00 to 12:30, families gather to whisper wishes, snap photos, and experience the kind of wonder adults secretly miss and children believe in wholeheartedly.
And on Saturday morning, the magic unfolds all over again—Santa and Mrs. Claus returning as warmly and joyfully as if they never left.
✨
Santa’s Dancing Elves — Laughter That Twirls Through the Lanes
Every holiday story needs a moment when joy quite literally dances off the page, and at The Windmill, that moment belongs to Santa’s Dancing Elves. Dressed in peppermint stripes and jingling bells, they twirl, leap, and spin through the lanes as if carried on the music itself. Their laughter drifts through the crisp late-November air, drawing children like fireflies and coaxing warm smiles from even the busiest shoppers.
With every kick and tap, they turn the market into a stage of pure holiday whimsy. Adults tap their toes without thinking, children trail behind them in delighted little parades, and the entire market seems to glitter just a bit brighter. Their performances aren’t simply entertainment—they are bursts of North Pole cheer, reminders that magic is meant to be shared, and that the best holiday moments often arrive when you least expect them.
❤️
Customer Appreciation — The Market’s Warmest Thank You
As the music softens and shoppers continue to wander, The Windmill opens its most heartfelt chapter of the weekend: Customer Appreciation. It’s a time when gratitude hums through the market like a gentle carol—sweet, warm, and sincere.
All weekend long, shoppers are treated to hourly prize drawings, little surprises that feel like unexpected holiday gifts tucked between booths and baskets. And as each day draws to a close, excitement gathers once more for a special grand prize drawing, a final flourish of thanks before the season’s last farewell.
This isn’t just a weekend event—it’s The Windmill’s way of saying, Thank you for walking our paths, sharing your Saturdays, supporting our artisans, and letting us be part of your family’s traditions year after year.
In this chapter, every smile feels a little brighter, every conversation a bit more meaningful, and every shared laugh becomes a bookmark in the story of another beautiful season.
🌟 Closing Weekend Farewell — Until the Pages Turn Again
As the final afternoon unfolds and the music drifts into the breeze, The Windmill settles into a gentle, glowing farewell. There’s a soft nostalgia that settles over the closing weekend— not sadness, but a tender pause, like lingering on the last lines of a beloved book.
Shoppers take one more stroll through their favorite booths, picking up those last treasures and offering warm goodbyes. Merchants tidy their displays with the care of storytellers closing their chapters, grateful for every customer who walked their way.
And as the lights dim and the November sky grows quiet, there’s comfort in knowing this isn’t truly goodbye. The gates may close for winter, but the story doesn’t end here—it simply rests, saving its place until spring.
Because when The Windmill opens again, the magic will return with it—brighter, familiar, and ready to welcome everyone home.
Until then, we hold these moments close—tucked like cherished bookmarks in the heart of another unforgettable season.
🌿 A Closing Note from Keuka Roots
As I walk those familiar lanes one last time this season, I am reminded—yet again—why places like The Windmill matter so much. They are more than markets. They are morning traditions, handwritten memories, and chapters stitched quietly into the story of our region. They are where we reconnect with neighbors, discover the heart in handmade things, and find ourselves slowing down long enough to appreciate the simple joy of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
Thank you, Windmill friends—merchants, visitors, volunteers, and all who bundle up year after year to keep this cherished tradition alive. Your smiles, your laughter, your unwavering support of small businesses… it’s the kind of everyday magic that keeps our community rooted, season after season.
Until the gates open again in the spring, may your holidays be warm, your hearts be full, and your own stories continue to grow—right here, between the lakes, where memories linger and traditions always find their way home.
Stay rooted, stay Keuka.
— Keuka Roots 🌿✨
