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)
To Learn How You Can Help Area Families This Holiday Season CLICK HERE.
ONEONTA TREE LIGHTING – 5-8 p.m. Join us for the lighting of the Christmas Tree. There will be caroling, shops, warm drinks, an ugly sweater contestwith winners announced just before the lighting, Horsedrawn wagon rides, and visits with Santa. Muller Plaza, Oneonta.Info, call (607)432-2941 or email detinationoneonta@gmail.com
SCHOOL PLAY – 7 p.m. 7/8th grade. Milford Central School, 42 W. Main St., Milford. Info, web.milfordcentral.org
Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig sent along this selfie of himself the the Eichler family’s big spruce from a VIP section at the foot of the tree, a few steps from the famed Rockefeller Center ice rink, where the 95-foot-tall tree is scheduled to be illuminated at 8:55 this evening. A light rain is falling, but spirits are high, AllOTSEGO.com Rockefeller Center Bureau Chief Libby Cudmore is reporting from the scene.
Waiting in line to get into the Rockefeller Center rink to watch the Eichler family’s spruce tree lighted, Michaela Buzzy and mom Heidi Hofbauer Buzzy of Oneonta take in the Saks 5th Avenue light show. “It looks huge! It looks great! I am so glad the tree made the long trip!” said Heidi.. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
A contingent from Oneonta arrives at Rockefeller Plaza a few minutes ago, looking forward to the lighting of the Eichler family’s 95-foot-tall blue spruce at 8:55 this evening. From left are Linda Rae-Nichols, Ted Gaisford, Darren Gaisford, Todd Foreman, Emmy Gaisford (with sign), Sue Gillette, June Sheehan, Tracy Gaisford, Greg Krikorian and his two daughters, Bridget and Claire, and Brian Gillette. The contingent rode one of Eastern Travel’s chartered buses from the City of the Hills to the Big Apple today. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Mayor Gary Herzig and Santa Claus cheer with the masses gathered in Muller Plaza this evening at the annual tree-lighting ceremony. The event featured singers, Dancers from the Donna Decker School of Ballet, cocoa, treats and alpacas. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
With the help of the “elves” in the crowd, Acting Mayor Russ Southard and Santa Claus light the Christmas tree in Muller Plaza on Thursday night. (Ian Austin/allotsego.com)
ONEONTA – More than 200 people braved the cold and crowded into Muller Plaza to help Mayor Russ Southard and Santa Claus light the Oneonta Christmas tree earlier this evening.
“I tried to light the tree earlier, but I couldn’t get it to work,” said Southard. “The maintenance guys told me I needed two things: Santa Claus and elves.” He had Santa, and Santa quickly dubbed all the people gathered in the plaza as his elves, and with a countdown from ten, the tree magically sprung to light.
Main Street remained shut down for most of the evening so visitors could view the gingerbread houses, warm up with some hot chocolate from The Red Caboose, enjoy dancers from the Donna Decker School of Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” and take horse-drawn sleigh rides through the center of town. The Oneonta History Center had their holiday train set running, and stores remained open late to invite shoppers in for gifts.
