ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
HOUSE & HOME EXHIBIT – 5 p.m. 2D, 3D work depicting, derived from dwellings showing conjunction, distinction between house & home. Curated by Jason Kates van Staveren with works by many artists. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Ave., Oneonta. 607-432-2070 or visit www.canoneonta.org/event/art-exhibit-house-and-home/?instance_id=1063
FESTIVAL – 1 – 4 p.m. Celebrate Christmas at the Schoolhouse, featuring wagon rides, Cookie Walk, Santa Claus, craft vendors, more. Admission, canned food for foodbank. Old Middlefield Schoolhouse, Co. Hwy. 35, Middlefield. E-mail tmhawebmail@gmail.com or visit www.middlefieldhistorical.org/calendar
YOUTH PROGRAM – 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. “Exploring The Past” session topic focuses on learning about the past through small forgotten items. All Welcome. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
“Welcome home to Cooperstown!” declares Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, as – for the first time since her March election – she greets Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive at their Pioneer Park cottage in a horse-drawn carriage. The day afternoon Thanksgiving, good boys and girls came from all over the area to welcome the Jolly Old Elf, ushering in the Christmas season. At right, Brynlee Burr, 4, and her mom, Brittany, were decked out in their holiday finest to keep warm and wait for the parade to bring Santa to town. Santa will be in his cottage over the weekend and until Christmas Eve give hear all his young Cooperstown friends related their holiday wishes. (Libby Cudmore, AllOTSEGO.com)
FARM THANKSGIVING – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Walk off Thanksgiving dinner with a stroll through the historic village, see treats baked at lippitt farmstead, find recipes at print shop, ride carousel, more. Continues 11/24. Admission free by donation. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org/Thanksgiving-at-the-Farm
With Oneonta Town Supervisor Bob Wood to his left, and Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig to his right, Santa Claus admires the City of Oneonta’s Christmas Tree just after it was lit this evening in Muller Plaza. As if scripted in a movie, snow began to fall just as the tree’s lights came on for the very first time. Christopher Brashear, pictured at right, and the Klipnocky Clangers handbell choir played holiday tunes to help get everyone in the holiday spirit. After the lighting, Santa occupied his cottage and began hearing youngsters’ Christmas wishes. (Parker Fish/AllOTSEGO.com)
BALLET – 7 p.m. Enjoy a performance of “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Tickets, $20 general admission. Goodrich Theater, SUNY Oneonta. Call 607-432-6290 or visit deckerschoolofballet.org/site/fokine-ballet-company/
CHRISTMAS DANCE – 7:30-10 p.m. Have a cheery evening with the Doubleday Dancers Western Square Dance Club of Cooperstown. Ray Taylor will call, Elma Talyor will cue. Admission, $5/person. Cooperstown Elementary School. Call 607-547-8665.
Local filmmaker Xander Moffat of Cooperstown works with his film partner Pedro Mermolia to frame a shot of Santa’s Cottage in Pioneer Park yesterday for a Brewery Ommegang commercial. According to Ommegang’s Creative Marketing Director Larry Bennett, the ad will be used primarily on age-gated social media sites. The commercial centers around Santa Claus handing out Ommegang’s “Three Philosophers” to guests, of age of course, in his cottage in Pioneer Park. (Parker Fish/AllOTSEGO.com)
Santa Claus rode into Milford by train at 5 this evening. He was greeted by a large crowd of good boys and girls who wanted a chance to meet St. Nick. The children followed Santa down the street to the Upper Susquehanna Cultural Center for hot cocoa and cookies. The children also got the chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. (Parker Fish/AllOtsego.com)
Santa Claus rode into Cooperstown on a horse-drawn wagon on Friday evening, to the delight of hundreds of children and adults ready for the holiday season. (Parker Fish/AllOtsego.com)
Chanukah begins at sundown.
CHRISTMAS DINNER – 12:30-2:30 p.m. Annual Friends of Christmas dinner. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Onoenta. Info, Ann Steen 432-1283 or Kelly Ahlqvist 432-1871
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – 6:45 p.m. Includes a Living Nativity scene. Main St. Baptist Church, 333 Main St., Oneonta. Info, msbchurch.org/ or call 607-432-5712
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – 7 p.m. Family Service with Childrens pageant followed by Christmas Tea and Candlelight service at 10. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Onoenta. Info, firstumc-oneonta.org
