The Midtown Gazette

A Columbia Journalism School newsroom covering Midtown Manhattan in the heart of New York City.


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Saks Unveils Holiday Windows

Crowds throng the holiday windows of Saks Fifth Avenue for a closer look. Photo: Kamakshi Ayyar.

 

Amid much fanfare, Saks Fifth Avenue revealed its legendary Christmas windows to over 100 people lined up along the sidewalk in front of the store.

This year’s window theme revolves around the snowflake – with tableaus involving snow globes, snowflakes as kaleidoscopic images and a snowball fight.

Earlier in the day, while the windows were still covered, curious passers-by tried to sneak in a peek at what was to come. Agnes Grohs, 66, who spent her childhood in New York but now lives in California, couldn’t wait to see the displays. “One of my fondest memories as a little girl was holding my father’s hand and standing in line to see the store windows,” she said. Her favorites were displays that involved toys and snow-related themes.

The evening’s program began with the Young Audiences New York Youth Choir performing holiday tunes, followed by a speech by the chairman and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, Stephen Sadove. “This is my most favorite evening of the year because it’s the kickoff to the holiday season,” he said.

The windows were then unveiled, drawing “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowds.  The street was closed to allow students from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theater to perform a part of “The Nutcracker.”t

The final event of the evening was a 3D light show, projected on the building, which introduced guests to the story of “The Snowflake & The Yeti.” The 2-minute show drew applause, hoots and whistles at the end. One audience member exclaimed, “I loved it! I thought it was very intriguing!”

The evening ended with a performance on the tenth floor of the store by country singer Trace Adkins, spokesperson for the 2012 American Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign.

 

A window display telling the story of the Snowflake. Photo: Kamakshi Ayyar.

 

“Snow” blows through this winter scene. Photo: Kamakshi Ayyar.

 

The front of the store was transformed as part of the 3D light show. Photo: Kamakshi Ayyar.

 

Saks’ Yeti dropped by to wish the crowds a happy holiday season. Photo: Kamakshi Ayyar.