Celebrating the holiday season

Celebrating the holiday season

FINGER LAKES--Despite the fact that New York, along with the rest of the country, continues to grapple with COVID-19, many organizations throughout the Finger Lakes are still planning to make the holiday season as festive as it can be. There will still be multiple opportunities to meet Santa at drive-thru events, enjoy holiday parades and more for residents throughout the Finger Lakes.
The Hammondsport Santa Claus Parade will take place at the Pleasant Valley Winery parking lot Saturday, Dec. 12 starting at noon. Escorted by local police, the parade route will go through Hammondsport and end at the village square where Santa will wave to children inside their cars. To aid with the festivities Hammondsport officials are asking cars participating and houses along the parade route to decorate with lights and other Christmas-themed aesthetics with the best-decorated house and vehicle to be announced on Facebook. The event is designed to be a no-contact event.
Our Town Rocks and the Village of Dundee are hosting The Magic of the Season parade also on Saturday, Dec. 12. The parade, which is now in its third year, begins at 5 p.m. and is open to anyone who wishes to participate and is actively seeking winter-themed entries and floats. The parade will begin at Dundee Central School's entrance on Harpending Avenue, go down to Water Street, continue on Main Street before turning on Hollister. It will then cut across on Bell Street and then turn on Seneca Street. The parade then travels Garfield Avenue to return to the school. Social distancing and mask-wearing are being required of all participants.
The American Legion in Wayne has announced they will hold their drive-thru Christmas party, Sunday, Dec. 13. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon with Santa's elves handing out stockings with goodies for children up to age 12. The Legion is located at 4926 Bath Rd.
The Yates County Sheriff's Department will be hosting Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. The event will allow children, from the safety of their car, to meet Santa and deliver their Christmas lists and possibly even receive a small surprise. All occupants of cars that plan on participating are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
The Montour Falls Fire Department will be escorting Santa throughout the village on a Santa Parade, Dec. 19 starting at 4 p.m. The fire department will spread some Christmas cheer with Santa being driven around the village atop a fire truck.
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and Watkins Glen Promotions will be hosting Holiday Lights - Schuyler Style! from Dec. 15 through Jan. 17. Sponsored by Visuals Credit Union, the event is designed so that businesses, homes, farms, and other organizations can participate by putting up the most impressive light displays to be judged. The public is encouraged to view the different light displays by their car once a map of all the displays is available online. Along with spreading festive joy, there is also up to $2,000 in prizes available for the best displays. Holiday Lights - Schuyler Style! is part of Holiday Happenings and Winter Traditions created by the chamber. The event is designed with social distancing regulations and asks that masks be worn when appropriate. Visit ExploreWatkinsGlen.com to see further details.