Turning Stone unveils holiday decor

VERONA, N.Y. — Turning Stone Resort Casino kicked off the holiday season with its annual gingerbread-house display and more than 2 million LED lights.

 As part of an effort to revamp its holiday decor, the resort also features 160 illuminated Christmas trees, including a 50-foot tree with a 6-foot topper, a 32-foot tree inside the Emerald lobby, and 84 illuminated light-post motifs. The decorations also include more than 4,150 ornaments, over 230 feet of holiday garland, six oversized illuminated ornaments, and 10 large, illuminated gift boxes.

The resort’s holiday display also includes a gingerbread village, recognized nationally for the last several years by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the best displays in the country.

This year, the village spans 75 feet and features nine buildings including a hotel, barn, bake shop, Victorian-style home, and a train station with a moving train.

Turning Stone’s pastry team designed the village with a nod to traditional nostalgic gingerbread houses and incorporated popular candies including 5,100 pinwheel mints, 1,680 NECCO Wafters, 1,440 peppermint sticks, 1,210 gingerbread circles, 1,150 gingerbread pieces, 1,000 Hershey’s Miniatures, 765 pounds of frosting, 75 pounds of Spree candies, 47 pounds of Shredded Wheat, 15 pounds of crushed peppermint, 13 pounds of strawberry wafers, and 12 pounds of brownie brittle.

The village is open daily through New Year’s Day and is located near the main Turning Stone Resort Casino entrance by The Commons shopping boutiques.

Along with the holiday displays, Turning Stone includes five hotels, two spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a 125,000-square-foot gaming floor, a sports-betting lounge, a small concert venue, a 5,000-seat arena, and several nightlife venues.