By Jessica Miller
ELLICOTTVILLE – Slow down the pace during the holiday rush and take some time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas during Ellicottville’s annual Christmas Stroll. This year’s Stroll is set for this Saturday, Dec. 9 in the village of Ellicottville. The Christmas Stroll welcomes all to a day of friendship as locals and visitors come together to remember the season and the story behind this special time of year.
“Ellicottville is a great place to come out and experience a relaxed pace and to take the time to enjoy a nice representation of the reason we celebrate during the holiday season,” said Gwen Bush, organizer of the event. “Come out and remind yourself what Christmas is all about.”
Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church, located on the corner of Jefferson and Martha Streets, will have their display of Nativity and Angels for all to see. The sidewalks of downtown will be filled with the sounds of the season as festive music permeates the air, coupled with the soft voices of sauntering carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, and the Wisemen strolling the village with a real live camel!
Local businesses have been busy decorating their storefronts, showcasing beautiful holiday themes for your enjoyment as you window shop throughout the afternoon. Once those noses are good and chilled, bring the little ones in from the cold for a hot chocolate break at The Tee Bar, which will be offering tasty holiday cookies. Santa’s elves will also have toys and candy for all good little girls and boys from 4-5:30pm and if we’re lucky, we may even get a visit from the Big Guy himself!
At 4:30pm, a spectacle like no other will take over the village, as many of our K9 friends, dressed in their holiday best, will march alongside their owners down the main drag to the gazebo.
Those interested in participating in the Reindog Parade should meet at the post office parking lot a little before 4:30pm. There is no charge to participate.
The evening will come to a conclusion at the gazebo beginning at 5:30pm when the Ellicottville Central School Band performs Christmas carols, leading into a Living Nativity at 6pm featuring the local children of Ellicottville. Dressed the part to play the roles of angels and shepherds, these children will tell the story of that very first Christmas – the journey and the birth of Jesus. This year’s Holy family will be played by Jennifer and Karl Gesing with baby Josie as Jesus, along with older brother Miles. The ECS Choir will sing during the procession and pageant.
“This pageant has become an iconic staple of the holiday season here in Ellicottville and is a great representation of the true meaning of Christmas,” said Bush. “Come share in the story. Come celebrate the season and our community.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas Stroll including a full schedule of the day, head over to ellicottvilleny.com or call 800-349-9099.
Caption: Local businesses have been busy decorating their storefronts, showcasing beautiful holiday themes for your enjoyment as you window shop throughout the afternoon.
Santa’s Elves will be popping up in local businesses to pass out toys and candy.