Even the Grinch loves Christmas in the Forks.

What started in 2004 as an informal attempt to inject a dash of community spirit into the season, has grown into something unforeseen by its organizers. Today, it’s an annual extravaganza filled with music, day-long activities, refreshments and an array of Christmas characters. It attracts hundreds of people to AuSable Forks from as far away as Lake Placid, Elizabethtown, Cadyville, Keene Valley and Plattsburgh.

Five years ago, enjoying the company of friends at the Wobbly Moose, it seemed like a good idea to Helen Wirt. But while many things may sound like a good idea during a night at the Wobbly Moose, this one actually was. The first snow of the season was drifting past the window and everyone was getting into the Christmas spirit.

According to Wirt, a small group was talking about different things the town had been trying to do. A new clock park had recently been completed after the demolition of the old Hubbard Corner building on the river in the hamlet’s center, and they got thinking how nice it would be to have a community Christmas tree there.

"I love Christmas, I’m a kid at heart," Wirt said. A former communications director for the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, she also loved event planning.

It had to be big, it had to be community-wide and it had to be special. But most of all, it had to be fun and full of surprises, especially for the kids. "It’s not commercialized," Wirt said. "It’s homey, like it should be."

Most importantly, they believed, the celebration needed a focal point. "We wanted to make a statement with the tree," Wirt said.

A Christmas Tree Committee was formed, with Wirt as chairperson, and organizers met to plan their strategy. Asplin Tree Farm in Saranac Lake offered a 25-foot-plus tree at half price that first year. Northline Utilities provided a line truck to help transport, mount and decorate the tree.

Wirt’s husband, a welder, made a large metal tree stand, and cables were donated to keep it secure in the windy area near the river.

Mounting and decorating the tree would turn into an all-day job and it usually takes place in very cold weather.

Engraved bricks had been sold to finance the clock park, so bows with names on them were marketed in the community to be hung on the tree. The proceeds were used for lights and garland. A giant star was secured for the top, and bows purchased by businesses were hung on a surrounding railing.

"We sold enough (bows) to pay for everything, and a Santa suit," Wirt said.

That first Saturday after Thanksgiving five years ago, the day they’d selected for the tree lighting, was frigid. Committee members were hoping for a turnout of 50 or 60 people. But when 5 p.m. rolled around, an hour before the lighting, they were in for a surprise.

"There were cars parked up and down the streets on both sides," Wirt said. "It was amazing how many people had turned out for it." 

The pressure was on to have a good show. While the word had spread that there would be a special guest, the details remained a secret, a tradition that has been carried forward to future celebrations. And the planners didn’t disappoint.

"We had Santa Claus in a horse and buggy coming down Main Street," Wirt said. "The moment you could hear the horse’s hooves on the bridge, it felt like an old-fashioned Christmas. When he came across, everyone was clapping and cheering and singing."

To round out the evening, Santa greeted children and handed out candy canes, carols were sung and hot chocolate was enjoyed by all.

"We were happy and excited, and we went on from there," Wirt said.

Feedback after the event reflected her enthusiasm. She received many cards, calls and favorable comments at work. But there was also another question.

"Everybody said, ‘what are you going to do to top it next year?"’ Wirt said. "So, each year, we’ve added a little something different to it so it still stays a surprise."

In the following years, Santa would come in from different directions, and you never knew who’d be with him. The second year, it was Santa’s elves and Rowdy the Reindeer from Santa’s Workshop.

But the third year was a real surprise. Santa came down the road as usual, or so it appeared. But under the Santa hat was someone else — the Grinch. The music changed from carols to his theme song and he stood up and threw snow at the Christmas tree, extinguishing the lights.

"People were booing and everything," Wirt said.

Fortunately, after singing and exhortations from the crowd, the Grinch had a change of heart. He left and returned with Santa.

There was a new theater in town that year, and free Christmas movies were shown that night. Other activities were featured during the day.

"That was the first year we did stories at the library," said Sandi Pelkey, who does the reading as Mrs. Santa with her elaborate Mrs. Santa dress. "You couldn’t get any more kids in there. We didn’t expect anything like that."

In fact, the kids tended to confide in Mrs. Santa. When she asked one if he’d been good, he replied, "Look lady, don’t tell him, but I haven’t." When asked if he could do better, he replied: "I don’t know, but I’ll give it a try."

Not only did the Grinch finally get in the spirit, the horse that pulls the wagon and gives buggy rides — decked out in a Santa hat — did too. "The minute he hears the music and sees the kids, he prances and his head goes up," Pelkey said.

And last year, an estimated 1,500 people showed up, requiring the Sheriff’s Department, state troopers and the Fire Department helped with safety and traffic control. Cindy Lou Who also joined the cast.

"This year, we’ll be adding a different character," Wirt said, explaining that all the old cast members return every year, even the reformed Grinch with his new attitude. "Nobody knows what’s going to happen."

Pelkey said everyone tries to find out ahead of time, but to no avail.

"People try to get it out of Helen," Pelkey said. "She keeps a pretty good secret, though."

Organizers are hoping for the donation of a 20-ft. tree and the original ribbons that were sold have worn out, so it may be ornaments or something else that will be sold as a fundraiser this year. A small Christmas parade may be in the future and maybe some sort of memorial for the community’s soldiers.

Jay Town Supervisor Randall Douglas acts as emcee, according to Clerk to the Supervisor Susan Richards.

"The Town of Black Brook supervisor is there as well," Richards said. "They both come out to help promote the event."

This year, the tree-lighting festivities will be Dec. 5.

"Everybody’s a little kid that night," Wirt said. "I hope it lasts forever, even after I’m gone."