The Christmas on Central event and holiday parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Dunkirk.

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz and the City of Dunkirk Festivals and Specials Events Department are excited to announce Dunkirk’s Christmas on Central Holiday Spectacular and Parade.

This year, both the Christmas on Central festive event and holiday parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Dunkirk. This will be a change from prior years where the event was held during Small Business Saturday on Thanksgiving weekend.

The indoor and outdoor pop-up shopping event is presented by Special Metals, Community Bank, Refresco Beverages, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. Other sponsors include VanDette Law PLLC, Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Cattaraugus County Bank, Central Station Restaurant, Putnam Record Agency, The Botox Barn, North County Landscaping, JCC, J.F. Grant Consulting Services, Fun-B-Que, Access to the Arts, Chautauqua Opportunities, Lil Ginger’s Deli and This Is It Nutrition.

Local vendors and activities will be inside the Elks Club, Stearns Building, former Ehler’s Furniture, former M&T Bank, First United Presbyterian Church’s Westminster Hall, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, P*dubs and other locations along with other holiday elements outside on Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The day will provide a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts from over 75 vendors and small businesses while enjoying live music at City Hall with FootSteps (11 a.m.), Slim & Red (1 p.m.) and DJ Joe Gould (3 p.m.).

Vendor opportunities are still available for $40 (Dunkirk residents), $50 (non-Dunkirk resident) and $80 for food trucks. If you are interested in being a sponsor or a craft, gift, or kids’ activity vendor, please visit the city website at www.cityofdunkirkny.gov under Residents/Festivals or their Facebook page at Dunkirk Festivals & Special Events for registration form.

The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center will host a Breakfast with Santa event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. that morning featuring pancakes, sausages, refreshments and Santa visits with a complimentary gift for each child. The cost is $10 per adult, $7 for kids and free for kids 5 years of age and under. Pre-register by calling the hotel at 716-366-8350 before December 4.

Other activities include complimentary horse drawn carriage rides provided by Double C Ranch from 12 noon to 5 p.m., visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and elves from 1 p.m. arrival 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 cookie frost and craft-making from noon to 4 p.m. inside the Stearns Building and complimentary hot cocoa and food available for purchase from the Central Station Restaurant.

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 their Dunkirk facility and Dunkirk City Hall and during the month of December.

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

The event will feature pre-parade entertainment with a DJ Dance Party with Rudolph from 5 to 5:20 p.m. at City Hall.

Holiday dancers from the McKenna Academy of Dance will perform a holiday routine in front of City Hall at 5:20 p.m. followed by Danza! Performing Arts Academy’s “Santa Stop Here” routine at 5:30 p.m.

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 5:40 p.m. on the steps of Dunkirk City Hall with Mayor Wdowiasz, staff, community members and friends.

“This free event is always well-attended and a great kickoff to the holiday season,” said Mayor Wdowiasz. “It’s fantastic to see people in downtown Dunkirk shopping, mingling and enjoying all the planned activities.”

Following the tree lighting will be the Dunkirk Holiday Parade beginning at 5: 45 p.m. along Central Avenue.

Since last year’s parade was canceled due to inclement weather, the parade theme of “Gingerbread Avenue and Candy Cane Lane,” will be repeated. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, floats and/or walkers with some type of gingerbread and candy cane design and play their favorite Christmas music.

Bob Patterson will be the parade marshal. As a former Dunkirk athlete, coach, official, city staff member and community volunteer, Mr. Patterson is a true representative and supporter of his hometown.

He lives in Dunkirk with his wife, Pat, and has three children – Trevor, Shawn and Lisa.

Parade line up will begin at 5 p.m. on Third Street, between Robin Street and Central Avenue. All parade entries must check in on the corner of Robin and Third Street by the tunnel before going to their designated spot.

The parade will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m., traveling south toward City Hall and end at Central Avenue and Fifth Street. Andy Bohn will be the parade announcer.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three best-decorated entries.

Interested groups and companies that would like to participate are asked to complete a parade application available at www.cityofdunkirk.com under the Residents/Festivals tabs or pick up form in the Development Office in the Stearns Building. The no-cost registration is due Dec. 3.

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

Corporate events sponsors are available at the following levels: $1,000, Overall Sponsor; $500, Tree Lighting Sponsor; $250, Horse-Drawn Carriage Sponsor; $100, Santa Set Sponsor and $50, Parade Supporter.

For more information, contact Scott Mekus, event specialist, at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9848 or smekus@cityofdunkirk.com.