The spirit of holiday cheer filled Main Street in downtown Oswego Friday night, as rain turned to a light mist in time for the annual tree-lighting ceremony in the village.
Some of the main attractions at the Oswego Christmas Walk were a theatrical performance and tree-lighting countdown at the corner of Main and Jackson streets, plus live choral music by local students.
Timothy Shaffer had a front row view of the action while snuggled in his mother’s carrier wrap. Tori and Michael Shaffer of Oswego decided their 9-month-old son was ready to experience his first Christmas Walk event with hopes it will be a tradition for their family as it is for many other locals.
“Christmas is our favorite time of the year and we’re hoping it’s going to be our child’s favorite too,” Tori Shaffer said.
Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman presided over the Christmas Walk on Friday evening.
“Christmas Walk is my hands-down favorite time of the year and event,” Kauffman said.
He offered the community a holiday wish at the event.
“As we gather in the spirit of Christmas, let us embrace the warmth of our community. May this festive season unite us in joy and togetherness celebrating the unique tapestry of our village,” Kauffman told the crowd.
The rain turned into a light mist in time for the tree-lighting itself at the event.
Montgomery mother Kelly Quinn was with her daughters, Molly, 12, and Nola, 16, at the Christmas Walk.
“The weather timed out perfectly to a light mist. We would not have missed the Christmas Walk anyways,” Quinn said.
Her children were equally excited to be in the middle of the festivities, and Molly was going to sing in the school choir at the event.
“Oswego has an adorable small-town feeling, especially tonight when there’s singing and people are happy,” Nola Quinn said.
Megan Dell’ Aringa, co-owner of Floral Expressions and Gifts at 26 Main St., a family-owned business in downtown Oswego, has appreciated being in the heart of Christmas Walk for the past 22 years.
“This time of year we transform the whole store into Christmas,” Dell’ Aringa said.
The floral and gift shop owner said she has seen generations of families come to Christmas Walk.
“Every year is special to us because we get to see our favorite customers and see the community come together in the spirit of Christmas,” she said.
Maria and Juan Sanchez were decked out in red and sported reindeer-trimmed eyewear for the event.
“Oswego’s Christmas Walk kicks off our holiday activities,” Juan Sanchez said.
The couple was initially reluctant to attend the event due to rain in the early part of the evening.
“Once we arrived, the rain stopped and the holiday cheer filled us with energy,” Sanchez said.
After the tree-lighting ceremony families headed for a visit with Santa at Locked In Photography at 73 W. Van Buren St., although some youngsters were rather timid about seeing the man in the red suit.
Professional photographer Wendy Greenslade snapped the shots and downloaded the photos free of charge for families from her website, something she’s done for the past five years at the event.
“I can tell when a child is going to be shy or start to cry,” Greenslade said.
Angela and Jimmy McHugh were with their daughters, 2-year old Autumn and 5-year old Elsie, to visit Santa.
“A visit with Santa has become a tradition for our family,” Jimmy McHugh said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
