Christmas in the City

The Batavian and WBTA, local news partners for Genesee County, are hosting a Christmas party Friday evening during Christmas in the City at WBTA's studios at Main and Center.

Stop by between 5 and 9 p.m. and you could get a chance to win $100. Show us The Batavian's mobile app on your smartphone or tablet and you will be eligible to enter the drawing (no purchase necessary).

We will provide snacks catered by the Dibble Family Center.

• To download The Batavian's app for iOS, click here.
• To download The Batavian's app for Android, click here.

Hundreds of people lined Main Street in Downtown Batavia on Friday night for the Christmas parade that was the highlight of a successful Christmas in the City for 2016.

Many businesses opened their doors for activities and food to celebrate the annual event.

To view photos and purchase prints click here:  steveognibenephotography.com

One of the many floats in the annual parade.

Bradley Winslow, local musician.

10-year-old Ryan Cox getting his face painted sponsored by T-Shirts Etc.

Batavia Concert Band

Students and staff from Batavia City School District singing carols at the Holland Land Office Museum.

• There will be horse and buggy rides again this year. Purchase tickets at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle. 
• Home Depot is hosting "Santa's Workshop" at 109 Main St. (The Newberry Building). Stop into the Hillside Children's Center for a craft, cookies and cocoa. 
• T-Shirts Etc. will be hosting a T-shirt coloring contest. The cost is $3 each with all the proceeds going to Don Carroll Toys for Kids. 
• Amy's Fluffy Friends is offering professional Photos with your pets, family and kids, with all proceeds going to charity. 
• Catch a bus to visit the Holland Land Office Museum’s Wonderland of Trees. The bus departs from the Save-A-Lot parking lot. 
• Pollyanna and Dot along with The Hidden Door will be offering a Christmas themed activity for children. They are also offering 15 percent off all full-priced items. 
• Warm up at the YNGodess with an adult only tasting and in store specials. 
• Stop into Art Ah La Carte to make a Christmas Ornament. For $2, children can make an angel ornament. All proceeds will benefit Josh Harloff to help pay medical bills due to battling leukemia.
• The First Presbyterian Church at 300 E. Main St. will be putting together a nativity walk during Christmas in the City. Walk through and view a variety of scenes from around the world and close to home. 
• The Batavia Concert Band will be playing in the mall concourse from 6 to 6:45. 
• Game-On will be having an open play in their new gaming lounge called the Warp Zone. They will have different games set up for kids to play, along with refreshments. 
• GO ART! is hosting the "Celtic Christmas in the City" with the Tullamore Celtic Band, Irish dancers, carolers and refreshments. 
• Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle will be offering Buy 1, Get 1 FREE on bicycle tune –up gift cards! They will also be serving their famous chili. 
• Mane Attraction is offering hair Tinsel at Christmas in the City! $5/ strand... get your holiday hair on!
• Stop in to Charles Men's Shop during Christmas in the City and check out their amazing new styles and holiday specials! 
• Bahama Bay Salon and Spa will be having a basket raffle. Enter to win a basket valued at more than $200, with gift certificates, clothing and more. 
• The Spa at Artemis is offering a special discount for Christmas in the City. Their $80 "Touch of Artemis" package is marked down to $65! 

Here are some pictures highlighting the activities at Friday night's Christmas in the City event as well as closing ceremonies for the city's Centennial Celebration. They were taken by Steve Ognibene.

To purchase prints, click here.

Christmas in the City will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, and will also mark the conclusion of the closing ceremonies for Batavia's Centennial celebration.

First, starting at 6 p.m., come and behold the Centennial Time Capsule in the foyer of City Hall. See the sponsor wall and the legacy gift. Enjoy a dessert bar with a variety of toppings and hot chocolate. The first 100 people will receive a free Centennial mug!

Bid on a piece of history. Offer a price for the Centennial Street Banner that has bedecked the City Hall sign and take it home as a keepsake if you win. Silent auction bidding opens for 100 pennies.

Then, at 6:15 p.m., the lineup begins in nearby Austin Park for the aerial "Human 100" group photograph -- hopefully with 500 volunteers dressed all in blue or white or gold! Be part of the photo and receive a free Centennial flashlight. Photo will be taken at 6:45 p.m.

At 7, watch the parade along Jefferson Avenue and be on the lookout for the Centennial cake! And golden "coins" made of chocolate tossed to onlookers by Centennial celebrants, too!

The evening's closing ceremonies for the Centennial concludes with a fireworks extravaganza at 8 o'clock, compliments of the Centennial sponsors.

Christmas in the City will also feature:

Photos with Santa at GO ART! (5-9 p.m.)

Stores & Restaurants Offering Specials & Entertainment (5-9 p.m.)

Holiday Window Decorating Contest (5-9 p.m.)

Horse & Wagon Rides on Center Street (across from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle) (5-9 p.m.)

FREE Shuttle Rides from Save-a-Lot to Wonderland of Trees at Holland Land Office Museum (5-9 p.m.)

Batavia Concert Band in the Batavia City Centre (6-6:45 p.m.)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

(Sponsors: GOLD: The Batavian, Tompkins Bank of Castile & Tompkins Insurance)

As part of the city's ongoing Centennial celebration, there is going to be an aerial photograph taken of the "Human 100." The city is calling for 500 volunteers to stand "in cheery formation dressed in festive blue, white or gold wintry wear!"

This crowd shot in the form of the number 100 will take place at Austin Park on Friday, Dec. 4th, within lineup forming at 6:15 p.m.

An additional volunteer opportunity in celebration of the Centennial will take place immediately following the Human 100 photo shoot.

All will get to walk alongside the Centennial Cake in the Holiday Parade that kicks off this year's Christmas in the City festivities. There's one condition: Participants must be wearing blue, white or gold to be in the parade!

The route is along Jefferson Avenue and walkers will get chocolate coins to toss to rapt and merry parade watchers.

Questions? Call Vibrant Batavia is 738-7388 or contact Leanna Di Risio at:  leanna@vibrantbatavia.com

Hundreds of people lined Main Street in Downtown Batavia on Friday night for the Christmas parade that was the highlight of a successful Christmas in the City for 2014.

To purchase prints, click here.

City workers were busy with tasks Downtown today getting things ready for Christmas in the City tomorrow evening, including making sure the snowflakes on the light poles are ready to illuminate correctly.

Tomorrow's events:

4 to 8 p.m., Photos with Santa
97 Main St.

Lighting of Downtown Christmas Tree, 5 p.m.

Horse and Wagon Rides ($1), 5 to 9 p.m.
Tickets available at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, 8 Center St. Proceeds benefit the Business Improvement District.

Trolley Rides to the Wonderland of Trees at the Holland Land Office Museum, 5 to 9 p.m.
Jackson Street Parking Lot (across from Valle Jewelers)
Trolley will continue throughout the night to bring people back and forth to the museum and Jackson Street parking lot. Trolley runs approximately every 15 minutes. The Holland Land Office Museum (HLOM) will be offering free refreshments for the event as well as gift baskets and discount sales in the gift shop.

GO ART!, Frosted Panes exhibit
The Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is pleased to announce its annual holiday show on exhibit through Dec. 19th in Batavia. This year's theme, "Frosted Panes," exhibits 43 pieces by 14 local artists on display in two GO ART Galleries -- the GO ART! Main Gallery in Seymour Place and at the Genesee County Senior Center on Bank Street.
A FREE Meet-the-Artists Reception will be held in conjunction with Batavia's Christmas in the City.

Batavia Concert Band, 6 p.m., City Centre

Holiday Parade, 6:30 p.m.
Parade will take place on Main Street starting at Liberty Street and ending at Jackson Street. More than 40 participants will entertain you with music, floats, singing, a juggler, fire trucks, and more! Santa will choose a child from his "Nice List" to ride with him in the Horse & Wagon!

The following Downtown businesses will be hosting special events as well:

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle -- 8 Center St.; Enjoy holiday specials, drawing/prizes, coupons, and their famous chili during the Christmas in the City festivities. Tickets for the Horse & Wagon rides may purchased inside of Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle. For questions, call (585) 343-0548.

Amy's Fluffy Friends -- 238 Ellicott St.; Have your pet's photo or group photos taken by Along Photography. Only $5 for a photo shoot! Amy's will also be offering a raffle with doggie treats. For questions, call (585) 343-0052.

Charles Men's Shop -- 200 E. Main St.; Stay warm and enjoy holiday discounts and warm refreshments! For questions, call (585) 343-2086.

City Slickers -- 59 Main St.; Celebrate the season with City Slickers' awesome deal with a Buy 1 Entree, Get the 2nd at Half Price. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a local band playing for the evening. Be sure to also purchase your "Dinner & a Movie" gift certificates as stocking stuffers! For questions, call (585) 345-6788.

Edward Jones -- 7 Jackson St.; Get out of the cold for a little while and enjoy a hot drink and cookies courtesy of Edward Jones. For questions, call (585) 345-1773.

Karen's Yarn, Paper, Scissors -- 39 Jackson St.; 10% holiday discounts on scrapbook paper and yarn! After the parade, stop by Karen's to get a free balloon animal courtesy of Jason the Juggler.

Marchese Computer -- 220 Ellicott St.; With coupons and refreshments, learn more about their holiday specials including computers starting at $349.99! For questions, call (585) 343-2713.

Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe -- 23 Jackson St.; Offering free samples of cookies. Perhaps you'll want to come back to purchase some for Santa for Christmas Eve? For questions, call (585) 344-5627.

T-Shirts, Etc. -- 111 Main St.; T-shirt coloring for kids! Holiday specials include a Buy One, Get One at 50% off. Also, be sure to visit their guest vendor, Butterfly Studio. For questions, call (585) 345-1993.

UMTOO -- 317 Ellicott St.; Will be open until 9 p.m. and will have Christmas refreshments, Christmas stories (traditional and historical), and Christmas songs by local singers who will engage people to join in singing. For questions, call (585) 993-2325.

Valle Jewelers -- 21 Jackson St.; Will be offering holiday specials for that evening only. For questions, call (585) 343-3372. 

The Holiday Parade on Main Street, 6:30 to 7 p.m.

• Photos with Santa -- 4 to 8 p.m.
• Stores & restaurants offering specials and entertainment -- 5 to 9 p.m.
• Horse & wagon rides -- 5 to 9 p.m.
• Trolley rides to the Wonderland of Trees at the Holland Land Office Museum -- 5 to 9 p.m.
• Batavia Concert Band in Batavia City Centre -- 6 p.m.

Sponsors: PLATINUM: Alpina Foods, Java Farm Supply. GOLD: Empire Tractor, Batavia Daily News, Genesee Valley Pennysaver, Tompkins Bank of Castile, & Tompkins Insurance, Turnbull Heating & Air, WBTA Radio. SILVER: Fidelis Care NY, Freed Maxick CPAs, Holland Land Office Museum, Muller Quaker Foods, Oshlag Saleh & Earl, R.A. Haitz Co., T-Shirts Etc., The Batavian, Valle Jewelers & United Memorial Medical Center.

Another event brought to you by: Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District.
(585) 344-0900. For more information, visit us online at: CLICK HERE.

Press release:

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

On Friday, activities include entertainment by the Batavia Concert Band and a visit with Santa Claus.

On Saturday, visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

The Batavia Business Improvement District wants to remind you to "Shop Small and Local" for the holidays. Remember, this Saturday, Nov. 24, is Small Business Saturday.

For more information call 585-344-2518 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com

 I thought I would finish out the series with a bit of humor. Thank you again to everyone who stopped by The Batavian booth and said hi.

The following is the third video in the "Countdown to Christmas" video series. The final videos will be posted on Christmas day.

What does Christmas mean to you? Tell us in the comment section below.

Here is the second video in the "Countdown to Christmas" video series. The next video will be released on Dec. 19

Last night I went to Christmas in the City and brought along my video equipment. I interviewed around 50 people, which gave me around 45 minutes of footage. So for the next few weeks I'll be posting a new video every seven days until Christmas. On Christmas day I will post one or two longer videos. So I hope you enjoy the first installment of the "Countdown to Christmas" video series.

Thank you to all the wonderful folks that took the time to talk with me and allowed me to interview them.