The Findley Lake area received more than 80 inches of snow from Black Friday through Dec. 6, clogging streets, sidewalks and driveways with mountains of snow.

However, through the combined efforts of the township, businesses and individuals, downtown Findley Lake was turned into a winter wonderland for the annual event, which took place on Dec. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 5p.m.

“The Township graciously removed snow from the roads and we hired Jack’s Repair Shop to help,” said Nancy Sonney, owner of The Secret Cubby of Antiques and the main organizer of Christmas through the Village. “And through the grace of God, it didn’t keep snowing.”

Sonney went on to say that all of the planned activities, including Santa and Mrs. Claus walking through the town, horse drawn carriage rides by Laff N Lyon Ranch, free hot Chocolate bar and gift wrapping, shopping throughout town and even sightings of the Grinch, went on as planned.

The heavy snowfall of the past week did not stop Santa and Mrs. Claus from delighting children during the annual Christmas Through the Village in Findley Lake.

The only things the snow did prevent from occuring were the completion of some outside decorations, Sonney said, and, most notably, Santa’s Workshop, which was to take place in the town gazebo. “We were not able to get that area cleared of snow,” she said.

In fact, the snow proved to be an asset to the weekend, creating a festive atmosphere. As Travel + Leisure Magazine writes: “Everyone wants to spend Christmas in a town like that, seemingly plucked from a Hallmark movie.” The Village of Findley Lake fit that image perfectly during the weekend.

“I think the snow was very good for the weekend,” Sonney said. “People seemed cheerful and happy to get out of the house.”

A sales clerk from Our Own Candle Company’s Gift Store agreed. “It’s been very busy because people have been cooped up all week,” she said. “Now that the snow has stopped, the shoppers have been very happy and very upbeat.”

The Christmassy atmosphere certainly carried on in the Sharps Boutique, which was serving hot cocoa with your choice of toppings, including whipped cream, crushed cookies, sprinkles, marshmallows, and Hershey’s syrup. “The snow definitely made it seem more like Christmas,” said the clerk who was kept busy dispensing hot chocolate. “People have been shut up all week and they’re ready to come out.”

Lori Wagner, owner of Twin Docks Market, said even if the snow had not stopped falling, Christmas through the Village would have taken place. “When you have had an event like this for the last 20 years, you can’t cancel,” she said. “The town did a great job clearing the snow away.”

Wagner said the snow definitely made it seem more like Christmas. “Last Christmas, it was rainy and the year before that, it was beautiful, but windy and the power went out everywhere,” she said. “We haven’t had snow for three or four years.”

The sales clerk at Toast Wine and Spirits said the Saturday flow of shoppers had been “non-stop.” She agreed that the snow created a Christmas atmosphere that brought visitors into town. “There have been a lot of people from the area that we haven’t seen in a while,” she said. “There are some people here today who said this is their first time back in 15 years.”

All shoppers received a card containing the names of the nine participating businesses which they could have stamped at each location they visited. When they had gone to six sites, the card could be entered in a drawing for prizes provided by each business.

The winner of the grand prize of $150 worth of lottery tickets was Sherry Speer. The rest of the winners were: David Prenatt, $100 gift card to Pine Junction; Remilee Taylor, $50 gift card to Our Own Candle Company; Selena Diater, $50 gift card to Findley Lake Fashion; Courtney Rhines, $50 gift certificate to the Secret Cubby of Antiques; Erin Fessler, $25 gift certificate to Twin Docks Market; Mark Keyes, $25 gift certificate to The Spruce Side; Beth Pettis, $25 Certificate to Toast Wine and Spirits; Alexis McGarvic, $15 gift certificate to Alexanders By the Lake.