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By Terry Duffy
Editor-in-Chief
Over past weeks, residents and visitors in our neck of the woods have certainly had the opportunity to experience and be part of a multitude of holiday delights. That included the “Noel of Niagara” light display that continues throughout the season at the Town of Niagara’s Veterans Park on Lockport Road; holiday shopping offerings such as Small Business Saturday in Lewiston and Sanborn, “Jingle Falls USA” in Niagara Falls; last weekend’s Ransomville Festival of Lights; and Friday evening’s Holiday Light Up Parade in Newfane.
Yes, for being such a rather small area, the Niagara’s River Region has certainly cornered the market when it comes to its vast amount of available holiday offerings, be they large or small.
Come Saturday, Dec. 14, the holiday spirit moves up to the Village of Youngstown, that picturesque little community at the mouth of the Niagara, with the annual “Christmas in the Village.”
But don’t let the word “little” have any influence on you when it comes to what visitors can experience at this holiday event. Better to term this event, “rather enjoyable.”
OK, how so?
Presented by the Village of Youngstown and its business community, this one-day holiday experience actually features a number of fun, all-ages offerings to partake in. Opening at 11 a.m. and continuing to 4 p.m. that day, holiday events will be centered in the Red Brick Village Center, 240 Lockport St., and also on village streets, with a plethora of unique holiday shopping and on-site experiences to enjoy. Included are:
•The Christmas craft show and marketplace in the Red Brick gym.
•Holiday crafts and games for the kids, taking place in the Youngstown Free Library of the Red Brick.
•Holiday carriage rides on village streets, complete with festive characters milling about.
Children’s Party to Support Food Pantry
That’s not all.
“As part of the Village of Youngstown’s ‘Christmas in the Village’ celebration on Dec. 14, the Youngstown Recreation Commission will be hosting a children’s Christmas party,” said the Recreation Commission’s Michelle Deutschman. The event will take place from 1-3 p.m. in the Cora Gushee Room on the second floor of the Red Brick. It opens with the arrival of Santa on a horse-drawn carriage.
“He will read the traditional story, ‘T’was the Night Before Christmas’ and visit with the children to pass out gifts and pose for pictures,” Deutschman said.
She noted the little ones can also enjoy visits from Jiminy the Elf and Corabelle, plus cookie decorating, face-painting and craft-making. All this is offered at no cost, but the Rec. Commission requests visitors consider donating a canned good or nonperishable food items for the Ransomville Care-n-Share Food Pantry.
“Christmas in the Village” organizers said a special Community Christmas Baskets donation box will be set up at the Red Brick gym entrance for donation of canned goods.
Still more attractions to check out at the Red Brick will be wine and cheese refreshments, ornament-making and children’s activities offered by the Town of Porter Historical Society on the second floor.
“Please plan to stop by our open hose during Christmas in the Village,” said Ann Brett, secretary of the Porter Historical Society and museum director. “Sue Allen and Joan Gillespie will have a craft table where the little ones can make their own Christmas ornaments. Donna Huggins has an assortment of costumes for children to try on for pictures or just for fun. We will have old-fashioned ornaments for sale, a 50/50 split raffle, and a wine and cheese refreshment table.”
In addition, visitors can look forward to holiday entertainment, featuring live music by Step in Time, followed by a performance from soprano saxophone soloist APROPOS.
Visitors will find servings of hot dogs and popcorn provided by the Youngstown Lions Club. And merchants on both Main and Lockport streets in the village’s business district will have a wide range of holiday gift buying ideas, plus assorted food and beverages available.
Check out the complimentary tastings of Black Button bourbon crème liqueur plus live Christmas music by Rich Jagow on violin at Anchor Spirits; Riverview Fitness will offer its Riverview Holiday Market; and Main Street merchants such as Everything Youngstown, Victoria’s Family Hair Care, the Village Diner, the Ontario House (Stone Jug) all will be open with a host of Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers and holiday treats.
“Make sure you save the date of Dec. 14 for ‘Christmas in the Village’; many great fun events and horse and carriage rides! Remember to bring a food donation for the food drive,” Youngstown Village Trustee Stu Comerford said.
Sounds like a nice way to enjoy the season and take care of some needed holiday gift buying. Remember to shop local!
For more information, visit the Village of Youngstown on Facebook.