By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
This year, plans for the 42nd Annual Cazenovia Christmas Walk and Village Tree Lighting have been altered to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.
The village Christmas tree will be lit on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6:45 p.m. In lieu of the traditional tree lighting gathering and festivities, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) will be streaming the proceedings on Facebook-live and the GCACC website.
“We are not conducting our usual event with performances and guest speakers to avoid having a large crowd that might undermine public health,” said Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “Project CAFE students will have a table set up nearby to share information about how to support foster children in Madison County. We hope residents will still get out and safely support our local businesses that evening and throughout the holiday season.”
According to Community Bank N.A. District Manager Barbara Houghton, Santa Claus will begin his tour of the village with the Cazenovia Fire Department around 7 p.m. Riding on the back of rescue ATV, Santa will travel up Sullivan St. to Ten Eyck Ave and then down Lincklaen St. and back to the fire station.
“Families should come out of their homes onto the sidewalk or driveway to welcome Santa to Cazenovia,” Houghton said.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Santa will be at Community Bank from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He will be seated in the front of the bank so young passersby can wave at him through the window.
Community Bank has also invited Santa to bring a mailbox for children to drop off their letters to the North Pole. Staff members will help to keep kids socially distanced and to sanitize the mailbox after each group.
According to Houghton, the Rotary Club will be giving away a huge teddy bear to one lucky child. A Rotarian will be present at the bank to take the name and phone number of each child for a drawing later that day.
“All the staff at Community Bank are so excited to be a part of this magical event for the kids,” said Houghton. “There is so much to be grateful for and seeing it through a child’s eyes is the best.”
For more information on the GCACC, visit cazenovia.com.
