GOWANDA - Residents of Gowanda will experience some Main Street holiday magic. The village will host Christmas in Gowanda on Friday and Dec. 14. Businesses in Gowanda will stay open longer and Christmas activities will be available throughout downtown.
"Business owners in the Gowanda area rallied together in an effort to encourage area residents to shop local, which resulted in businesses agreeing to stay open after hours on Fridays, December 7 and 14," Gowanda Mayor Heather McKeever said.
Starting at 5 p.m. this Friday, the Hollywood Theater will show a holiday themed movie. The movie will also be shown at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Admission is free but a donation of a non-perishable item is encouraged. Between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. children can visit with Santa's reindeer, which courtesy of Sundance Kids Farm, will be at Mitchell Photo Studio at 17 Jamestown St. at the outside lot. While his reindeer are around the block, Santa will be visiting with families at Amish Collections at 24 W. Main St. Outdoor vendors including Unique Creations will be selling crafts along East Main Street near the Gowanda Chamber of Commerce. Kettle corn, cotton candy and hot chocolate will also be available.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photos by Samantha McDonnell
The Gowanda Chamber office is one of many storefronts decorated for Christmas in Gowanda.
The holiday festivities continue on the following Friday, Dec. 14, throughout downtown. The Hollywood Theater will once again show a holiday movie starting at 5 p.m. and continuing every hour until 8 p.m. Santa will return to Amish Collections from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Gowanda High School Chamber Choir will perform an outdoor concert downtown. Wagon rides will be provided by Misty Ridge Carriage Service. Outdoor vendors will also selling crafts and food will be available.
The atmosphere of the event is to have residents think back to past Christmas holidays as well as think about creating new memories.
"In effort to bring back a touch of the past, the businesses created an environment downtown that will take anyone back in time to their childhood memories and also creating new memories for those who visit our quaint village and enjoy the sites and sounds of Christmas in Gowanda."
To promote businesses in Gowanda, a raffle is being held. For every $10 spent at local businesses in Gowanda, a raffle ticket will be given for a chance to win a "Shop Local" basket. Over 20 businesses have contributed items to the basket valued at over $500. The winner will be drawn on Dec. 22 at noon under the Hollywood Theater marquee.
The businesses that will take place in Christmas in Gowanda will be Jessie's Toy Box, Gowanda Area Chamber, Gable Brothers, Hagers, McCormacks Hardware, Allison's, Soles Unlimited, Cards and More, Main Street Style, Positively Mane Street and the Calming Touch, all located on Main Street; Olympia, Amish Collections, Hair We Are, Heaven Scent, Chloes Cleaners, Clothing and More, Artista, Reitz Liquor Store, Lavia's Pizzeria and Cappozzi's Pizzeria on Jamestown Street; and the Attic and Gowanda Village Laundromat, located on Buffalo Street. Blade Village on Route 62 in Collins, Gowanda Harley Davidson and Maple Glen Sugar House, both on Gowanda Zoar Road, will also be participating in Christmas in Gowanda.
"Businesses who have made our festive activities possible include The Hollywood Theater, Community Bank, Gowanda Harley Davidson, Designer Pools and Gowanda Village Laundromat," McKeever said. "My hope is that people will discover all that Gowanda has to offer."
Comments on this article may be sent to smcdonnell@observertoday.com.
