On Saturday, Dec. 5 the public is invited to "come on down" to the Village of Fredonia and enjoy the holiday spirit with the day full of activities for everyone. The Festivals Fredonia committee would like to end their successful 2009 season with its hometown "Miracle on Main Street Festival." This year they have included new events as more "gifts of the season" to brighten the festival.
Find those sneakers, and go to the Gazebo at 10 a.m. to sign up for the first ever "Jingle Bell 5k Run."
This event is sponsored by SUNY Fredonia Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national men's music fraternity. The fundraiser will generate funds for much needed scholarships. The runners will leave the Gazebo around 10:30 a.m. and should return by noon, just in time for the Tree Lighting at the Gazebo.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., visit the Barker Library's Children's Room on Day Street. There will be a holiday story and then a very special movie for the children "Stranger in the Woods." From the Barker Library, visit the Barker Museum next door from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their Children's Project - "Create a Holiday T-shirt." Both of these events are at no charge for all children.
The second annual "Arts in the Village" will showcase the works of the local artisans at various venues. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit all three venues to view the artisans.
At the Intermezzo Coffeehouse at 12 Park Place, Thomas Annear and Tom Malinoski will be presenting their newest works. Also, there will be drawings from the private collections of Lawrence Urbscheit. Wishberry, 29 West Main St. will be hosting James Hoggard. And TimePieces at 23 White St. will be presenting Susan Mackay. This show is designed with the holidays in mind; most of the exhibited artwork is for sale at reasonable prices as unique holiday gifts.
The White Inn will host "The Gingerbread Workshop" presented by Cake by Joyce & Peggy of Fredonia, this event is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This workshop is open to everyone of all ages. Each participant (for a small fee) will decorate a gingerbread house for giving or themselves. This is a perfect gift for grandparents. You will be able to choose from three sizes to decorate. Pease, call the White Inn at 672.2103 for further information.
The "Annual Tree Lighting" will be very different and fun this year. The event will begin at noon with a performance by "Much More Chill," SUNY Fredonia's all male a capella group. Founded in 2000 by the "Most Chill Brothers on the Block", "Much More Chill" lives up to the tradition through rock, hip hop, and pop music, a capella style!
About 12:15 p.m., the committee will announced the two winners of the essay contest, "What Christmas means to me" written by third graders of the local schools. These children will read their essay. Then they will assist Fredonia Mayor Michael Sullivan with lighting the village tree. After the tree lighting, the music performances will continue for community caroling. Refreshments for this event are donated by Tim Horton's of Fredonia with the Infinity Dance Girls students serving the refreshments.
Come to the Grange, at 58 West Main St. for Santa's Workshop from noon to 3 p.m. For the last 10 years this has been Miracle on Main Street's most popular event. This year will be better than ever. There will be six different crafts for children to make and take home, they can write Santa Clause a letter, visit with Santa, enjoy Kay Barlow's Music for Children, and free popcorn from Mark Sam. The Kiwanis Club for Northern Chautauqua is providing free photographs of the children with Santa Claus. Come and enjoy your afternoon at "Santa's Workshop."
Don't miss the 1891 Fredonia Opera house at 7 p.m. for the annual holiday cinema: "Christmas in Connecticut". As a gift to the community, the D.R. Barker Library has teamed up with the Fredonia Opera House to offer this free-admission holiday film.
In this 1945 holiday classic, journalist Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) is one of the country's most famous food writers. In her column, she describes herself as a hard-working farm woman, taking care of her children and being an excellent cook. However, Elizabeth's got a little secret: She needs a recipe to boil water! She has no cooking skills, no Connecticut farm, no adoring hubby and no baby-makes-three, as suggested in her column. When the owner of the magazine she works for decides that a heroic sailor will spend Christmas on Elizabeth's farm as a publicity stunt, Elizabeth knows that her career will be over if the truth comes out ... but what can she do? Watch the fun and hilarity as Elizabeth tries to be the perfect holiday hostess, a gourmet cook, a good wife and doting mother ... all with absolutely no experience.
While admission is free, a ticket is required and can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 679-1891.
For more information on these events or future events, call 672-4818.
