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Turkey Tail, by Vanaprastha Sciorra

“Hornell for the Holidays” starts November 26 for Shop Local Saturday

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Christmas Parade, Santa, and Tree Lighting next Saturday

There is no better way to start the Holiday Season than to attend the annual Shop Local Saturday, “Hornell for the Holidays”, kickoff event on November 26th from Noon to 9:00 pm. Santa returns to his cottage on Santa’s Lane in Hornell, during the Christmas Parade that starts at 5:00 pm. Immediately after the parade is the annual lighting of the HPG tree downtown on Main Street across from City Hall. Santa will greet visitors in his cottage from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

     All are invited to join in the parade, the route will start at the parking lot on Center Street, turn left on Main Street, travel to the tree, turn right on Seneca Street and end at the Community Bank parking lot. Anyone can be a part of the parade by coming to the Center Street Parking Lot by between 4:00 & 4:45 PM.

     During the day you will see a lot of activity going on in the parking lot behind Santa’s Cottage, parallel to route 36, where we will be setting up vendors and activities that will start at Noon.  There will be free and pay as you go events for kids, craft vendors, food trucks selling cotton candy, funnel cakes, deep fried junk foods and more. The evening activities start as soon as the tree is lit; everyone is invited to enter the large tent area, receive a laminated letter for each member in your group; the letters will be called throughout the night and will be when you will enter the rope area for your turn to visit Santa.  While you wait enjoy free hot cocoa, cookies, coloring books & crayons, and much more fun inside the tent. You will also find that this year we have invited international award-winning live party caricaturist Adam Pate from Speed Sketchers set up to create a sketch of you and your family (https://speedsketchers.com) while you wait for your turn to see Santa. 

    Some activities will be run by volunteers from local groups and we encourage donations to them. The city stage will be set up for entertainment throughout the night. DJ Sean Stewart from Fun 92.1 will be playing Holiday Music all night long with breaks for local entertainment. Groups such as the Hornell Intermediate School Band and the High School Choir.  If any choir, dance studio, or other similar Christmas entertainment would like to volunteer some time and preform during the night please contact HPG at hornellpartners@gmail.com

     Want to come back and visit Santa’s Cottage at a later date? It will be open for visits with Santa on these Saturdays, December 3rd, 10th, & 17th from 1 – 4 pm, and Thursdays, December 8th & 15th from 5 – 7 pm.  Free Photos will be printed on the spot and does cause a longer wait time, please be patient while waiting in lines and dress for the weather.

     Once you see the big red mailbox outside of Santa’s Cottage, at the end of November through December 17th, your child will be able to drop off their letters to Santa and we will forward them to the North Pole. The Hornell Post Office will also be accepting letters when they have their box for Santa set up.  If your child would like a letter back from Santa please make sure that the following information is written on the envelope or inside on the letter: First & Last Name, Address, City, State, and Zip Code  Please make sure that it is legible in order to receive a letter back!

    On December 8th give yourself three hours of shopping & dining in the Business Improvement District’s first annual “Hornell Holiday Shopping Spree Spectacular” from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.  During this time, you will find many merchants will be staying open late and some offering specials to those who would like to shop for your holiday gifts, pick up certificates, or just have a meal at a local restaurant. Have the kids and don’t want to take them with you?  Register them with the Hornell YMCAs Holiday Spree Give Parents a Break; the cost is $20.00 per child, the best part… return with a receipt from a business in the HPG District and you will receive your $20.00 back per child.  Not sure if a business is in the HPG District check out the Discover Hornell App to confirm where you are shopping is listed.

 On behalf of everyone at Hornell Partners for Growth and the businesses in the HPG business district, have a very merry Christmas and safe holiday season. There is no place like Hornell for the Holidays.

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