Embedded Files
12/8/25
By Hannah Corbett, Staff Writer
ROCKLAND- The Holiday Stroll is an annual holiday event that typically takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, it took place on Saturday, November 29, along Union Street. The event lasted from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The event usually has food trucks, carolers, and stands from local businesses. It helps bring the community together before the holiday season.
Sophomore Beatrix Poukkula has been attending the Holiday Stroll since she was a young child, and now goes every year.
“My favorite part [of the stroll] is walking around with my friends and just seeing everything that they have out,” Poukkula said.
She usually goes to the Holiday Stroll with someone. Most years she meets up with her friends at the stroll and they go around together.
Poukkula said, "Usually when I'm at the stroll, I use money for food since everything else is really expensive.”
She buys different kinds of food each year, but her favorite food she's had at the Holiday Stroll is fried dough.
“I feel like [the Holiday Stroll is] emptier than the other celebrations we have in this town,” Poukkula said.
She thinks that the stroll could improve if they added more booths. She recommends a booth with crafts, since she knows there are similar booths at the fall festival.
“I do think it is a good tradition to have. I love our town’s traditions,” Poukkula said.
The Holiday Stroll was previously run by The Friends of Rockland, but has been taken over by Rockland Recreation. Jeanne Blaney and Olivia McCormack are in charge of planning the event.
“We stick with local businesses… Traditionally it's been giving back to the community,” McCormack said.
They reach out to local small businesses that they've done other markets with. They prefer having Rockland based businesses for the stroll.
Blaney said, “More people come out when it’s warmer, and then when we took over we added a beer garden, which has brought out a different age group to the stroll.”
The group try to reach out to a variety of businesses in town, starting with ones they have on their list from past years. Sometimes they walk up and down Union Street to look for businesses for the stroll.
“I love seeing the kids react to Santa and all of the different activities and just the sheer volume of people coming out to see everything. I think that bringing the community together is what I like best,” Blaney said.
McCormack’s favorite part is preparing for the stroll. It helps her get into the holiday mood, and she enjoys getting to be creative with the decorations. It may be chaotic, but she says they have a lot of fun.
Dan Biggins turns the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home into the North Pole every year, hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“We decorate our building to resemble what we imagine the North Pole may look like. We host hundreds of children and families every year for free pictures with Santa,” Biggins said.
The Biggins family has been participating in the holiday stroll for over 25 years. They began with a free hot dog stand across from town hall, and have now moved to doing the North Pole.
Biggins said, “I think the thing I enjoy most [about the stroll] is easily the smiling faces of Rockland’s children as they experience the magic of Christmas. It fills our hearts and warms our souls every year as we get ready for the Christmas season.”
Colleen Cronin is running a stand as Sam’s Soy Candles. She will be selling soy candles, sweatshirts, and ornaments. She will donate $5.00 per sweatshirt to the local food pantry.
“This will be my first year with a stand of my own. I used to work at the Kiwanis Club stand and help hand out popcorn at the North Pole,” Cronin said.
She has also had stands during the Fall Festival, Rockland Day, and the Rockland Markets. She will also be at other local holiday events.
Cronin said, “Watching the community come together reminds me of why I love Rockland. People say what they want, but this town shows up for each other. It’s a great place to live, work, and be part of.”
Jo Val, running the stand for The Crystals Align, sells gemstones, crystals and jewelry. They try to incorporate a holiday theme for what they sell during the stroll.
Val said, “I love being part of the Rockland events. I love the community and always have a great time.”
This is their second year doing the Holiday Stroll, and they have also had a stand at Rockland Day and the Fall Festival.
“My favorite part [of the stroll] is to see the kids smiling and having fun, enjoying the different characters. Rockland Holiday Stroll truly is one of the best,” Val said.
Page updated
Report abuse