Ransomville Lighting of the Wreaths Festival boasts Santa, open houses, community parade

The Ransomville community invites all to kick off the 2024 holiday season in style, with a number of enjoyable family programs taking place Sunday, Nov. 26, in the hamlet.

According to organizer Ruth Ann Buzzard, Ransomville’s daylong Lighting of the Wreaths Festival celebration includes holiday activities scattered throughout the day, and a small but very busy parade set to begin at 3 p.m. along Ransomville Road.

The day gets underway starting at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at American Legion O. Leo Curtiss Post 830. From there, it’s a literal smorgasbord of holiday events: Marine Corps Toys for Tots collections at Post 830 and the Ransomville Free Library; a host of activities at the Ransomville firehall, such as photos with Santa, magic acts by Patrick Holman with clowns and face painting, the RVFC quilt raffle, plus visits by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New York Power Authority and Wild Kritters.

That’s not all. During the afternoon there’s a basket raffle at the Ransomville Baptist Church; a craft and vendor fair at Jill's Play Yard; cookie decorating by the Care-n-Share Food Pantry at the Ransomville Free Library; plus music, crafts, voting for the Ransomville Wreath Contest, face painting and clown visits for the little ones.

A number of Ransomville businesses will hold open houses, including Stevenson’s Hardware, which will hold a of the Bald Eagle wood carving raffle; and at Ransomville Family Chiropractic, the Ransomville Historical Society, Heritage Manor and Patties Cut Above.

The Ransomville Festival Parade begins at 3 p.m. from the Ransomville Free Library and continues to the Hardison Funeral Home along Ransomville Road. Many participants are expected, including the New York State Police; the Ransomville Fire Co.; Post 830 members; the Niagara County 4-H with a Farmers Feed American banner; the Hoover Dairy cow; Sunflowers of Sanborn; balloon floats; the Ransomville Garden Club; area Boy and Girl Scout troops; the Niagara County Mounted Police; KiPo Motors of Ransomville with R&K Motor Sports; Ransomville Speedway; the Justice League of WNY; and of course, a visit by Old St. Nick.

“The parade finishes at the Hardison Funeral Home where we will all gather to sing ‘Silent Night’ and ‘God Bless America,’ ” Buzzard said.

Following the parade, closing activities will take place at the Ransomville Baptist Church at 4:30 p.m. Stop by for performances by the Wilson Chorale, plus the results of a number of day-time events including the wood carving raffle, the quilt raffle, and the Ransomville wreath decorating and coloring contests.

The day closes with the Ransomville Lighting of the Wreath ceremony.

All events are open to the public.