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Santa Claus and 2017-18 Peach Queen Jamie Hagerty welcomed guests at last year's Christmas Walk. (File photo)
Santa Claus and 2017-18 Peach Queen Jamie Hagerty welcomed guests at last year's Christmas Walk. (File photo)

Lewiston Christmas Walk, Tour of Homes ring in holiday season Dec. 1-2

Submitted

Mon, Nov 26th 2018 07:00 am
Tour of Homes takes place in historic properties
The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is preparing for a successful Lewiston Christmas Walk and Tour of Homes weekend Dec. 1-2. The busy, two-day weekend features boutique shopping, a North Pole mailbox, carriage rides, a petting zoo and a home tour (ticketed event).
The highlight of the weekend is Santa's arrival, made possible by Rainbow Air, Deal Realty and J&J Strassburg Trucking.
"We are fortunate to have the cooperation of these key businesses to help us bring Santa to Lewiston in a way children will always remember. It is really a group effort to make it happen each year, and the chamber is appreciative of all of those who help each year," President Jennifer Pauly said. "The Lewiston Police Department, Explorers and Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1 all give their time to help us land Santa safely from the North Pole."
Santa will arrive by helicopter at 11:30 a.m. at Academy Park (weather-permitting). After a quick meet-and-greet, he will continue on his promenade down Center Street to the Bicentennial Peace Garden. There, he will greet children throughout the weekend.
The Christmas Walk has plenty of outdoor activities, including the Lewiston Family Ice Rink. Many of the businesses offer open house promotions and refreshments both Saturday and Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the events are rain, snow or shine.
A full listing of activities is available online at www.NiagaraRiverRegion.com, social media and also in today's Sentinel.
The Christmas Walk is presented by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours, Deal Realty and J&J Strassburg Trucking. Key sponsors include: (Carriage), Supermarket Liquors and Wines; (petting zoo), Tedesco Enterprises; (North Pole Mailbox), The Spicey Pickle; Catholic Health/Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Elderwood at Grand Island, the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, Niagara Frontier Publications and the Niagara Gazette.
DOWNLOAD THE EVENT LISTINGS (PDF):
The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will kick off the Christmas Walk weekend with its annual Christmas dinner on Thursday, Nov. 29, at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen on Center Street. The event is open to all, with a fun night of fellowship starting at 6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $25 and include a meal, dessert, cash bar and raffles. In addition, participants are asked to bring a canned good or nonperishable food item to be donated to Intercommunity Services (Care-n-Share Food Pantry). 
Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling the chamber office at 716-754-9500.
Pictured, from left, at Gallo are (front row) chamber members Fred Blue, Margy Toohey, Gloria Baker and Matt Villnave with restaurant owner Michael Hibbard (back).
Hibbard also is shown below with Caitlin Fager, chamber Membership and Events Manager.
TOUR OF HOMES
The Historical Association of Lewiston is teaming with the Chamber of Commerce to present the 14th annual Tour of Homes on Dec. 1-2. Celebrate historic Lewiston and see the latest holiday-inspired decor. This year, five unique homes will be featured, each presenting Christmas tablescapes and offering innovative holiday entertaining ideas by local decorators.
Guests will be invited to Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa (100 Center St.) for a dessert reception with pastries and a poinsettia cocktail, as well as a holiday market. In addition, there are bonus locations for ticketholders, including: The First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston (505 Cayuga St.), where the Old Stone Chapel is decorated for the holidays. The Chamber of Commerce office (895 Center St.) will also be open, while the Lewiston Stone House (755 Center St.) offers a free mulled wine sample. Tour of Homes ticketholders will have the opportunity to explore the Lewiston Museum (469 Plain St.), which will be adorned for the season, and will include a hot cocoa stop courtesy of CRB Holdings (Tim Hortons). The Museum Store will also be open, offering locally themed books, ornaments, and many Lewiston treasures.
The Holiday Gift Market is returning to the Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa in the Fairbanks Room as well as the second floor. The Lewiston Community Lions Club hosts the gift market, just steps from the dessert and poinsettia cocktail reception. Stop in any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to find be an assortment of vendors offering creative holiday gifts for everyone.
Ticketholders will also enjoy a special dessert sampling and cocktail reception (included in the ticket price) at the Niagara Crossing Hotel each day, with holiday pastries from local favorites DiCamillo Bakery and Wegmans. Everyone will also receive a signature poinsettia cocktail, courtesy of Wegmans.
The Tour of Homes takes place alongside the Lewiston Christmas Walk, with complimentary carriage rides, shopping, carolers, outdoor entertainment, refreshments served by Lewiston businesses and a Santa promenade down Center Street hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
Park your car and ride to the homes on the Polar Express. Four trolleys will make a continuous circuit from Lewiston village hall (Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.) to the featured homes and bonus stops on the tour.
The Tour of Homes serves as a fundraiser for the Historical Association of Lewiston.
Tour of Homes Featured Homes & Designers
•"The Studio," featured designers: Brooke Unversaw of The Chipped Cow and Teri Moseley of Transformations by Teri with advisement from Gretchen Broderick
•"The Hotchkiss House Revisited,"
featured designer: The Country Doctor
•"The Gingerbread House," featured designers: Karin Elia and Lacy Abbott of Niagara Floral Center & Greenhouse at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara
•"The Painted Lady," featured designers: Sharon Janik-Venne and Lori Janik of Dianne's Florals
•"The Mountain View Retreat," featured designer: Donna Moxham
"My first thanks go to the owners of these fine properties who have agreed to open their doors for your enjoyment," HAL President Ken Slaugenhoupt said. "Each of these welcoming places has been decorated professionally and seasonally for your great enjoyment. The board of directors of HAL are deeply grateful for the volunteer efforts of these fine artisans. ... Thank you one and all for your efforts, which bring us so much joy."

Pre-sale tickets ($25) are available online and at several locations, including: all Western New York Wegmans locations; and in the Village of Lewiston: the Chamber of Commerce, Orange Cat Coffee Co. and DiCamillo Bakery.
Day-of tickets ($30) will be available at the Red Brick.
For more information, visit www.lewistonhometour.com or call 716-754-9500.

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