CHRISTMAS – Be an Angel. Sign up to give the gift of Christmas to local families in need with this years Angel Tree Program. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details.
FUNDRAISER – 8:30 – 10 a.m. Spin to support the Cooperstown Food Pantry. Sign up online with a minimum donation of $10 to go to the pantry. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. 607-547-2800 or visit www.facebook.com/clarksportscenter
Connie Herzig, left, and event organizer Carol Mandigo, right, wave to visitors alongside Santa Claus during the opening night of The Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park earlier this evening. Visitors can make their way through the park via car and enjoy plenty of colorful displays created by local businesses and organizations. The event, sponsored by First Night Oneonta, is open each day at sundown for the next three weeks.(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
FOOD DRIVE, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Help the Cooperstown Food Pantry by contributing food and personal care items at the annual Cooperstown Emergency Squad food drive in the Price Chopper parking lot, 113 Chestnut St. Canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, and items like shampoo or body wash, etc., especially needed. The goal is “to fill the back of the ambulance, maybe twice!”
OTEGO HOLIDAY TOUR, 4-6 p.m. – See Otego during holiday season. Enjoy treats from Santa, drive thru nativity scene, opportunity to view Otego Christmas tree, a holiday dinner (pre-registration preferred). Please wear a mask & practice social distancing when out of the car. Please bring dry goods or hygiene products to donate to local food banks. Presented by Harris Memorial Library. 607-988-6661 or visit www.facebook.com/events/3708320132564206/
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Family sponsors should drop gifts at The Freeman’s Journal Office in Cooperstown or at The Salvation Army in Oneonta. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
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.
THANKSGIVING – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Walk off holiday meal on scenic stroll through historic village with your loved ones. Admission by donation. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org
“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)
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
FAMILY GAME NIIGHT – 5-10 p.m. Bring Family and Friends to Board Game Night. Serenity Hobbies, 254 Main St, Oneonta. Info, serenityhobbies.com
CHRISTMAS DINNER DONATIONS – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations of food to the Friends of Christmas Dinner should be dropped off at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Accepting baked pies, fruit breads, Christmas cookies, fresh fruit, apple and cranberry juice. Volunteers needed as cooks, drivers, servers and cleaning. Info, Ann Steen 432-1283 or Kelly Ahlqvist 432-1871
SOUTHSDIE MALL SANTA – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta.
ONEONTA SANTA – 4-6 p.m. Muller Plaza, Main St., Oneonta.
MUSIC – 6-9 p.m. Come de-stress with Dan Schilling. Timber Creek Saloon and Restaurant, 2957 ST. HWY. 23, West Oneonta. Info, www.facebook.com/TimberCreekLLC
TOASTMASTERS MEETING – 6-7 p.m. Improve speaking and leadership skills and have fun in supportive Toastmasters club. Green Earth Natural Foods, 4 Market St., Oneonta. Info, oneonta.toastmastersclubs.org
SOUTHSDIE MALL SANTA – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta.
