It’s almost Christmas, a time when people come together in mutual admiration and thankfulness for their friends and family. In this yuletide spirit, Geneseo held its annual tradition, Christmas in the Village, on Saturday Dec. 3. “The event has always existed in one way or another,” Not Dot Shop owner Marcia Podhorecki said. “Originally, it was broken up over two nights, with ChristmaSing happening on the first Friday of December and Christmas in the Village happening the following Saturday.”
ChristmaSing is an event where the whole town gets in the spirit of the season by coming together to sing Christmas carols. Hot chocolate and cookies were available for attendees and everyone was granted a brief respite from the chilly night air.
The choral tradition was held on Saturday Dec. 3 this year, however, instead of the first Friday of December. Taking place at the Main Street fountain, holding it on Saturday allowed ChristmaSing to begin shortly after the lighting of the tree decorations in the Village Park at 6 p.m.
Christmas in the Village began at noon and ran until 6 p.m. Those in attendance could take a ride down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage, hunt for elves, walk with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. This provided a source of fun for the whole family, as attendants ranged from toddlers to grandparents in age.
Businesses up and down Main Street also held events for attendees. The choices available varied as greatly as the stores that offered them. Wadsworth Homestead, the historic home of the Wadsworth family, held photo ops with Santa from 12-3 p.m., which was something sure to make any child’s day. ArtSmart Studio, the quaint art school on Main Street, also hosted a workshop where attendants could design their very own ornaments.
Additionally, Not Dot Shop offered s’mores as a warm, tasty treat in contrast to the crisp, wispy day, and Touch of Grayce, the local variety shop, offered a chance for everyone to have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies with the Claus family in the evening after ChristmaSing.
With events such as these, attendees could make long-lasting memories that would stick with them for many holiday seasons to come.
“This is just a very nice way for the town to celebrate the season,” Podhorecki said. “We all come together as a community to get into the holiday spirit. When we sing the carols, everybody forgets their troubles for a little bit, and we are all able to enjoy one another’s company.”
And that is what the holidays are all about—coming together to enjoy one another’s company. It doesn’t have to be with your hometown; it can be with your coworkers, your friends or your family.
As long as you are with people whom you care about and who care about you, you can always get in the spirit of the season.