Gift buying, holiday tours and more at Youngstown's Christmas in the Village

Holiday magic found in communities throughout region

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The joy of the season is going full swing in northern Niagara.

Last weekend kicked off with Black Friday/Small Business Saturday shopping throughout the region. In Ransomville, the small hamlet held its annual Festival of Lights celebration and parade, with community gatherings and pre-Christmas enjoyment for all ages.

This weekend, the annual Lewiston Christmas Walk and Parade takes over with its unique shopping and dining offerings, holiday-themed events and more in the Village of Lewiston.

In the Town of Niagara, there’s holiday shopping opportunities galore along the Military Road business strips. Nearby, the town’s Recreation Department is set to host its second annual holiday craft/vendor show. Stop by and shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Calvin Richards Community Center, located in Veterans Park at 7000 Lockport Road.

“We will have over 30 vendors/crafters. Stop by to last-minute holiday shop,” organizers said. “We will have our concession stand open for some holiday treats (cash and Venmo only), and after the vendor/craft show, enjoy a walk through our park decorated in holiday lights.”

Holiday celebrations head north on Saturday, Dec. 14, with the return of Youngstown’s annual Christmas in the Village. Presented by the Village of Youngstown and its business community, this daylong event will feature a number of Christmas happenings for visitors. Look for gift-buying ideas, tours and more in the Youngstown Red Brick Village Center on Lockport Street, fun for the kids at nearby Falkner Park, and shopping/tours at locations throughout the village.

Happenings include:

•A vendor’s market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Red Brick gym. Look for a host of gift-buying ideas along with hot dogs and popcorn served by the Youngstown Lions. Upstairs, the Porter Historical Society will offer museum tours, a raffle, crafts and refreshments.

•From 1-3 p.m., the celebrations take over Falkner Park on Main Street. Look for a visit by Santa on the Youngstown fire truck, arts and crafts for the kids, plus hot cocoa and story times. The Youngstown Recreation Department and Friends of Youngstown will hold a winter clothing collection event for the needy. Visitors are welcome to bring new, unworn winter hats, scarves and gloves that will be donated directly to Heart, Love & Soul in Niagara Falls to help brighten the holidays.

•And over at the historic Ontario House, the Youngstown Garden Club is again offering its enjoyable holiday tours of this unique, 1840s-era structure. Presented by the Garden Club, the Youngstown Business and Professional Association and a number community volunteers, the special tours are being offered free of charge for visitors from 1-7 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and 18-22.

Garden Club representative Colleen Summerville invites all to explore the Ontario House and discover its unique historical appeal during the holiday season.

“We all know the ‘Jug,’ a popular gathering place in Youngstown. What is not quite so familiar is the other part of the building, the Ontario House – The Historic Hotel,” Summerville said. “Last year, we had a new project to create a festive activity for everyone to enjoy. We offered holiday tours of uniquely decorated rooms – open to the public and completely free – at the Ontario House, aka ‘Stone Jug,’ in the heart of the village. It was an enormous success. Over 800 people visited the rooms, and this year we are going to make magic again.”

Moreover, “The YGC is taking over the upper floors of this iconic building and creating a winter fantasy world to be enjoyed by families and friends from across our area. Each room and hallway will be decorated with greens and garlands, and each with an all-new imaginative theme.

“I’ve heard talk among the members of Christmas glamour, woodland fairies, French noel and more. I won’t tell you all, because we want you to come, to bring your families or friends – come for an evening, tour the rooms, stay for supper or have a drink at the bar.”

For more on Christmas in the Village celebrations, visit the Village of Youngstown and Youngstown Garden Club pages on Facebook.