By Darlene Brace
When you’re looking to do some Christmas shopping as well as holiday activities for you and your family, go to Lakewood’s Christmas in the Village celebration, presented by the Lakewood Community Development Corporation. This event will take place on Chautauqua Avenue the first three weekends in December. Friday hours will be from 5pm-8pm and Saturdays from 10am-4pm. This community event will encourage support of the Lakewood Village businesses and have activities getting everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Most of the area shops and small businesses will be open extended hours and many of them will have holiday specials. There will also be a grand prize drawing for a basket filled with items from each participating business. To enter the drawing, you pick up a “Shop Around” card at your first stop, get it signed at participating locations, and turn it in at your last stop. Maybe you will be the lucky winner!
You will also find craft vendors set up at “Santa’s Workshop” across the street from Pea Pod and Juniper. The vendors will be selling artisan crafts and other specialty items on all three Saturdays from 10am-4pm, helping you complete your Christmas list gift shopping.
In addition to shopping, discover many free activities taking place throughout the village. On Saturdays, Santa’s Workshop will host the kid’s Candy Cane Relay Race from 10am-2pm. You will also be able to watch “Vince the Tree Guy” demonstrate live chainsaw tree carvings on December 7th from 11am-2pm.
Each Friday evening, plan to stop and listen to Christmas Carolers at the “North Pole” in the heart of the four corners of Summit Street and Chautauqua Avenue from 5-6pm. The spirit of Christmas will be felt by participants and onlookers alike as the community shares in this heartfelt event.
As a special holiday treat, The Shults Auto Group presents free outdoor Christmas Movie Nights at Group Ther-Happy on each Friday night from 6pm-8pm. The movies will be on the patio with plenty of seating, including heaters to keep you warm. Bring the kids to enjoy the outside movies with hot chocolate and Tim Bits, and the restaurant and bar will be open as well. Come and enjoy watching Home Alone 2 on December 6th, Jack Frost on December 13th, and The Santa Clause on December 20th.
Group Ther-Happy will also be the location for the “Human Library.” Here, authors will tell their story followed by a book signing. On December 14th, Lissa Marie Redmond will likely discuss The Secrets They Left Behind, the Cold Case Investigations Series, and more. On December 21st, Rebecca Cuthbert, may discuss In Memory of Exoskeletons and include talk about her first children’s book that was released this month. Both authors bring their stories to life in front of the fireplace from 1pm-2:30pm.
Across from Group Ther-Happy, the “North Pole” will have a decorated set with a large Christmas tree creating the perfect site for you to take photos with Santa, so make sure you bring your phone.
The children can bring their creativity to the Lakewood Library on Saturdays between 10am-2pm where they can participate in “make & take” Christmas crafts. The little ones can bring their Christmas lists with them while they write their letters to Santa and then mail them at the “North Pole.”
On December 21st, kids can have a free pancake breakfast with Santa at the Lakewood Legion serving from 10am-12pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to greet the kids and take photos.
During the whole six-day festival, there will be sleigh and carriage rides provided by Laff-N-Lyon Ranch and Magic Moments Carriages. You can park your car and relax as you and your family enjoy the rides up and down Chautauqua Avenue, allowing you to get on and off at your leisure.
The Lakewood Community Development Corporation would like to give a “Very Merry Thank You” to all of the sponsors including JMI, The Home Depot, Brigiotta’s Farmland, Lake Shore Builders, J. Rauh Enterprises, Fredonia Ford, DNJ Concrete, H&R Block, The Shults Auto Group, Jamestown Awning, C-21 Turner Brokers, Indulge Salon & Spa, JACFCU, Kingsview Paving, Tim Hortons, The Lakewood Legion, and The Rock Church. Their generous support made this wonderful festival happen.
So, mark your calendars for the first three weekends in December to visit this unique holiday community experience that includes fun activities and the opportunity to show support for local businesses. For an updated schedule of events, go to Lakewood Community Development Corporation on Facebook.