By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Dec. 6, residents of Cazenovia and the surrounding area braved the snow, cold and slush to attend the 42nd Annual Cazenovia Christmas Walk and Village Tree Lighting.
At 6:30 p.m. the crowd gathered on Sullivan Street between Common Grounds and the First Presbyterian Church for caroling, a visit from Santa Claus, and the ceremonial lighting of the village tree.
The Cazenovia High School Chamber Choir performed several seasonal songs and led the crowd — along with Cazenovia resident Rosemary Langey — in an interactive rendition of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
The Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) Treasurer Fred Agerter (AmeriCU), GCACC incoming Vice President Sara Muñoz (SAGA Kids), and past GCACC president Lori Lewis (Cazenovia Republican) joined the choir on stage to highlight a number of other festive happenings in the village that evening.
The chamber representatives informed the crowd of performances by the Cazenovia Community Band and the Cazenovia High School String Ensemble; a Carriage Barn Books sale; a pie and beverage café at Cazenovia United Methodist Church; a soup and dessert café at the First Presbyterian Church; the 10th Annual Cazenovia College Arts & Crafts Fair; an international awareness event in Common Grounds; and an art exhibit opening reception at Cazenovia Public Library.
“I [always] love Cazenovia, but tonight is my favorite night of the year,” Lewis said. “Everybody just makes it feel like Christmas.”
The ceremony concluded with the arrival of Santa Clause by fire engine and the lighting of the tree by Agerter, Muñoz, Santa and Cazenovia Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler.
Also present near the stage were four costumed International Gift Bringers.
The Christmas Walk — a holiday stroll through the decorated historic business district — immediately followed the tree lighting.
Village shops welcomed customers until 9 p.m., and numerous non-profit, school and church organizations lined the sidewalks, offering treats, beverages and holiday crafts to strolling shoppers.
