Hill City Celebrations
Recognizes Winners
ONEONTA
Hill City Celebrations, formerly known as First Night Oneonta, has announced the winners of the 2022 Festival of Lights.
The three organizations that claimed first, second and third place in the festival, voted on by Hill City Celebrations board members, were recently recognized by board officials with prize earnings. Each winning organization was gifted with a monetary prize for themselves, and Hill City Celebrations matched an equal amount of money for winners to donate to a charity their choice.
First prize of $500.00 was claimed by Van’s Auto Sales and Service, whose “car under repair” decorated with lights was a favorite among festival attendees. Tres and Cheryl Palmer, owners of Van’s Auto, donated $500.00 each to the Oneonta American Legion and Super Heroes Humane Society.
“We owe a lot of our recognition to Cheryl, who designed and maintained our display,” said Tres.
Second prize was claimed by NYCM Insurance, who drew hundreds of onlookers with a display that featured a small forest of holiday trees. NYCM contributed $300.00 each to The Community Cupboard in Edmeston, a local food pantry at the Second Baptist Church, and Hill City Celebrations.
Finally, third prize went to The Amish Barn Company. Their display incorporated one of the organization’s beautiful handmade barns with holiday lights. The Amish Barn Company donated their $200.00 prize to the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown, which Hill City Celebrations will match.
“We had a very successful 2022 Festival of Lights, and we would like to thank everyone for their amazing support and participation this past holiday season,” said Carol Mandigo, co-chair of Hill City Celebrations. “It’s truly beautiful that out of the total $2,000.00 in prizes, $1,800.00 was given back to local causes. The other $200.00 was graciously donated back to Hill City Celebrations for future festivals. Congratulations and thank you to all our winners—we are so appreciative of your generosity. Thank you to all our festival participants.”
Prizes were sponsored by Five Star Subaru and Cleinman Charitable Trust.