As over 60 indoor craft and gift vendors and 35 local merchants opened their doors for business along Chautauqua, Summit, and Fairmount Avenues, bundled up families and shoppers battled the snowy weather to take part in the multiple events happening that day from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

Participants enjoyed a holiday story hour at the Lakewood Memorial Library presented by Mary McCague, Belgian horse-drawn trolley rides by Rod and Karen Anderson, a live reindeer appearance from Mike Morton of Sundance Farms, a chainsaw wood carving demonstration from Vince Liuzzo of the Tree Guys, caroling from members of the Lakewood Baptist Church, Ben Blood and the Southwestern Central High School chorus, a visit from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves aboard the Lakewood fire truck, a double tree lighting ceremony and sledding at Richard O. Hartley Park.

The baking contest winners were Adam Wagner/children (first-place), Trisha Lindstrom (second-place) and Lynn Dollard (third-place) in the cookie category and Kacey Linamen (first-place) and Caren Hurlburt (second-place) in the pie division.  Each winner received a beautiful place ribbon and prize money.

The Holiday Lights contest $50 first place prize winners were Dee Marlinksi of Barking Bubbles in the business division, and Gene Swanson of Oakland Avenue in the residence division.

The Village of Lakewood’s iconic clock tower welcomes visitors to the Christmas of the Village event held Dec. 10.

Winners of the free holiday stroll gift basket raffle were AJ Sykes, Angel Babyak, Ellen Beck, Dale Truver, Jen Maguder, Linda Wright, Carissa Minarovich, and Annette Miller.

Basket items were graciously provided by A Child’s Creation Pre-School, Bag & String Wine Merchants, Barking Bubbles, Brick Elephant Design, Buffalo Bob’s Wild Game Jerky, Caren’s Face Painting, Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club, Copper Bell, Eight Limbs Wellness Studio, Fairmount House, Forge Health & Performance, Glasswerks, Heather Riolo of LuLaRoe, Jamestown Area Community Federal Credit Union, Lakeside Antiques, Lakewood Apothecary, Mike’s Nursery, Off The Beaten Path Bookstore, Oleta Hannon, Pearson’s Stained Glass, Priceless Studios Photography, Ryders Cup Coffee, Quilter’s Haven, Wellman Brothers Furniture and Green Farm Gifts and the Village of Lakewood History Museum.

Over $150 was also raised through generous donations to the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign managed by the Lakewood Baptist Church.

A special thanks to the Lakewood merchants/organizations and volunteer coordinators that hosted vendors in their locations including The Fitness Bunker, Lakewood Fire Department, Priceless Studios Photography, Forge Health & Performance, A Child’s Creation Preschool, Lakewood Village Hall, Image Embroidery, Morgan Hatrick’s corner log cabin, and Paul DeFrisco’s storefront.

During the tree lighting at Recognition Park, Mayor Cara Birrittieri expressed gratitude to several people who made this event possible.

Vince Liuzzo of Tree Guys works on a chainsaw carving of a sailboat to be donated to the Village of Lakewood after completion.

“I wanted to sincerely thank our events and marketing committee, village staff members, public works department, fire department, Women’s Club of Lakewood, local merchants, vendors and all the volunteers who made Christmas in the Village memorable for all,” said Mayor Birrittieri.  “It takes a group of people with this much passion and drive to make events like this successful and I look forward to next year’s festivities.”

The Christmas in the Village event was put on by the Lakewood Events and Marketing Committee under the direction of Mayor Cara Birrittieri, trustee David DiSalvo, village clerk Joe Johnson, co-chairs Scott Mekus and Brooke Wagner, secretary Kara Rusco, vendor coordinator Karen Dennerlein, entertainment coordinator Campbell Dawson, baking contest coordinator Harriet Sessler, social media coordinator Alex Sullivan, and committee members Susan Lane and David Card.

Individuals interested in participating or volunteering for next year’s event should contact the Village Hall at 763-8557 or e-mail at johnson@lakewoodny.com.