Mayor Wilfred Rosas and the City of Dunkirk Festivals and Specials Events Department are excited to announce the Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market and Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Dunkirk.

The event is presented by event sponsor Universal Stainless Steel in Dunkirk. Other sponsors include the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and The Botox Barn & Wellness.

The indoor and outdoor pop-up shopping event is to spotlight locally-owned businesses and the impact they have on communities.

Local vendors and activities will be inside Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS), Elks Club, Stearns Building, former P&G grocery store, P*Dubs, Kays Kreationz, Onix Barber Shop, Leghicie Lashes and other locations along with other holiday elements outside on Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will provide a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts from over fifty vendors and small businesses while enjoying live music at City Hall with DJ Joe Gould (11 a.m.), Slim & Red (1 p.m.) and Footsteps (3 p.m.).

Other activities include complimentary horse drawn carriage rides with two wagons this year provided by Laff ‘N Lyon Ranch from 12 noon to 4 p.m., visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and elves from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall, ice sculpture carving demonstrations by Jamestown Ice & Storage in Stearns Court starting at 11 a.m., children’s holiday craft-making and cookie frost, complimentary hot cocoa and food available for purchase from the Central Station Restaurant and free coffee, snacks and family card-making activity for the troops with contest drawing at Kays Kreationz.

A new unwrapped toy drive conducted by Chautauqua County Rural Ministry is also being held to support the local families in need. Drop off sites will be Dunkirk City Hall and NCCS.

There will also be a shopping map available at the event and on-line promoting participating vendors and some of the other holiday deals and savings taking place at other local businesses throughout the city.

“Last year we had over 3,000 visitors to Christmas on Central which was very exciting to see,” said Ryan Hall, Dunkirk Festivals Coordinator. “Several people said that this event reminded them of the holiday seasons from long ago where downtown Dunkirk was bustling with people everywhere.”

Holiday dancers from the McKenna Academy of Dance (5 p.m.) and Danza! Performing Arts Academy (5:15 p.m.) will perform a holiday routine in front of city hall.

The event will conclude with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Dunkirk City Hall with Mayor Rosas, staff, community members and friends.

A free community gift card drawing will be conducted by city staff member Carol Oliveira during that time with ten $10 Wal-Mart gift cards for youth community members and ten $15 ShopLocalCHQ gift cards for the adults.

Participants are reminded to dress warm during the inside and outside strolling holiday event.

The next holiday event will be Dunkirk’s Holiday Parade on Friday, December 1 presented by Special Metals of Dunkirk with support from the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Refresco and The Botox Barn & Wellness.

The theme this year is “Holiday Movie Magic” which encourages participating entries to decorate their vehicles, floats and people with a favorite holiday or cartoon theme and music playing.

Interested groups that want to participate in the no-cost parade can download an application from www.cityofdunkirk.com under the Residents/Festivals tab.

For more information, contact Ryan Hall at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9886 or rhall@cityofdunkirk.com.

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

November 25 marks the annual Small Business Saturday event proudly backed by American Express. Dedicated to supporting the diverse range of local businesses that create jobs, help boost the economy, and enhance neighborhoods around the country, Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers. Learn more at and connect with us on ShopSmall.com, instagram.com/shopsmall, facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday.