Holiday celebrations set locally; Youngstown to host 'Christmas in the Village'

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Northern Niagara is officially in holiday mode, as the days till Christmas draw ever fewer.

Thanksgiving weekend kicked it all off with Black Friday/Small Business Saturday shopping experiences throughout the region. In Ransomville, the hamlet held its annual “Lighting of the Wreaths” celebration with community gatherings, kids visits with Santa, hay wagon shuttles, holiday shopping and pre-Christmas enjoyment for all ages.

This weekend, the annual Lewiston Christmas Walk and Lights 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, look for holiday shopping opportunities along the Military Road malls and business strip. Nearby, the Town of Niagara Recreation Department will host its third annual holiday craft/vendor show. Stop by and shop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Calvin Richards Community Center, located in Veteran’s Park at 7000 Lockport Road.

The Town of Niagara reminds residents to be on the lookout for the return of Santa in neighborhoods starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18. Presented by the Joe Cecconi Chrysler Complex, “Santa and the Grinch will be visiting all the neighborhoods with a Town of Niagara Police Department escort,” the town posted on social media. “Have your lights on and decorations lit up!”

And the Christmas good times head north on Saturday, Dec. 13, with the return of Youngstown’s annual “Christmas in the Village.”

 Presented by the Village of Youngstown and its business community, this holiday event will again feature a number of Christmas delights for visitors of all ages from 4-8 p.m. Look for gift-buying ideas, holiday-themed activities and more in the Youngstown Red Brick Village Center on Lockport Street. Outside, enjoy the arrival of Santa in a Youngstown Police truck, and holiday caroling by the Incipio Singers in the Red Brick parking lot. There will also be a food truck on site, and horse and buggy rides on village streets.

“Get ready for festive fun in every corner of the Village Center – cookie decorating, markets, crafts, bouquet making, food trucks, horse and buggy rides, and, of course, Santa arriving in style. Let’s make this the merriest Christmas in the village yet!” Village Trustee Catherine Stella said.

Afternoon events include:

•A vendor’s market and tree display from 4-8 p.m. in the Red Brick gym. Look for a host of gift-buying ideas, along with free popcorn served by the Youngstown Lions. Upstairs, the Youngstown Garden Club will hold a special holiday bouquet-making class in the Cora Gushee Room starting at 4 p.m.

•From 4-8 p.m., Check out the food truck in the Red Brick parking lot and welcome the arrival of Santa with holiday caroling outside from 5-7 p.m. Inside the Red Brick, there will be cookie decorating and crafts from 5-7 p.m. in the village boardroom. Horse and buggy rides and holiday shopping continues from 6-8 p.m. in the business district.

•At 7:30 p.m., all are invited to the village’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies in front of the Village Center.

•And over at the Ontario House (aka The Jug), the Youngstown Garden Club continues its free holiday tours displays from 1-7 p.m. daily, Dec. 13-24.

“Garden Club members will be on hand to host visitors from across the area as they explore the rooms,” said Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville, VP of the Garden Club. “Everyone is welcome to come for an evening or an afternoon. Tour the rooms, stay for supper, have a drink at the bar. This project is a gift to the community from the Youngstown Garden Club, with a wish for a joyful holiday season.”

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

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More holiday events

Nativity festival

First Baptist Church will hold a nativity festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 3837 Macklem Ave., Niagara Falls. Admission is free. Nativities will be on display, with crafts available for children.

 

Holiday concert planned at Lewiston Old Stone Church

Press Release

Matthew Black, a folk singer and songwriter known for incisive lyrics and singable melodies, will present a concert at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at The Old Stone Church in Lewiston.

Black plays an acoustic guitar and is a vocalist who will present original music and folksy holiday favorites. He said, “My live shows have proved to be opportunities to build community, which feels increasingly important these days.”

The concert is free and open to all. A free-will offering will be collected.

The Old Stone Church is the oldest and most historic church in the Village of Lewiston. It is part of the First Presbyterian Church campus at 505 Cayuga St.

Parking is available on Cayuga Street or in a lot behind the building. Visit www.lewistonpres.org.

 

Buffalo Wind Symphony presents free holiday concert at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Press Release

The Buffalo Wind Symphony will once again fill Our Lady of Fatima Shrine with the sounds of the season during its annual free holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.

The performance will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Youngstown. No tickets or reservations are required – this concert is open to all.

This annual free holiday concert brings together music lovers from across Western New York to experience the joy and wonder of the holidays in one of the region’s most unique settings. Surrounded by Fatima Shrine’s festive lights and serene atmosphere, the concert offers a moment of reflection, celebration, and community connection during the busy holiday season.

The program will feature a selection of holiday classics and festive favorites performed by the full Buffalo Wind Symphony, celebrating the spirit of togetherness and the warmth that only live music can bring.

"Performing at the Fatima Shrine is one of the highlights of our season," said Amy J. Erhard, conductor of the Buffalo Wind Symphony. "It’s a gift to share this music with our community each year."

Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy Fatima Shrine’s beautiful outdoor light display and experience this cherished holiday tradition that has become a highlight of the Buffalo Wind Symphony’s calendar.

 

‘Candlelight Christmas Concert’ in Youngstown

Press Release

Youngstown Presbyterian Church will present its annual “Candlelight Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the church sanctuary. 

The program will include sacred Advent, Christmas and Epiphany pieces performed by the handbell choir and the chancel choir, with several songs being accompanied by stringed instruments. There will also be a piano solo by resident organist/pianist Alan Spring; a piano/violin duet between Alan and son David Spring; a set by the Scully brothers (James on harp, and Liam on violin); excerpts from the Corelli Christmas Concerto by the string quartet Equinox; a set by Celtic duo Step-In-Time (Marcia and Monte Jones), a vocal solo by Dale Austin, and a choral quartet by the Glunt family. This concert will also include the premiere of the YPC youth choir. Other featured musicians and singers will include Rosie Hagel, soprano; Bill Siddall, baritone; Katie Kremer, cello; and Charlotte Clark, flute.

There will be opportunities for the audience to sing along on a variety of Christmas carols.

Paige Hardison is the music director and director of the chancel and handbell choirs.

The church is located at 100 Church St., Youngstown. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Free-will donations are encouraged and gratefully accepted.