Christmas celebrations begin this week

Central Steuben County communities this week kick off a month of holiday celebrations, with three communities, Avoca, Bath and Hammondsport celebrating the season with visits from Santa, parades and numerous local events.

An overview of the week's festivities:

An Avoca Country

Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 9

 10 a.m. Christmas parade: Firetrucks, horsedrawn carriage, Christmas carolers and Santa and Mrs. Claus

 10:15 a.m.: Visit with Santa at the local North Pole, located at the four corners in the Arcade building.

 Noon: Chili cook-off and fruitcake contest: All entries must be submitted to the Avoca Cafe by 11:30 a.m.

 1 p.m. Annual Christmas auction, located at the Avoca Fire Hall

Village-wide house decorating contest: All houses in the village will be judged starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. The winner will be displayed at the Avoca Market

All-Day Events

 Live Nativity scene, presented by the First Baptist Church of Avoca

 Scavenger Hunt: See Santa at the North Pole for scavenger sheets

 hristmas Carolers, featuring the Avoca Central High School Chorus!

 Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides - Provided aby local business sponsors.

 Food - Crafts - Games - Face Painting ... and much more!

Bath Spirit of

Christmas

Friday, Dec. 8

3 to 5 p.m.: Santa and his helper will visit with children at Chemung Canal Trust

5 to 8 p.m.: Craft Sale & Flea Market next to Chamber Office, plus vendors in the park

5:45 p.m.: Santa arrives in Pulteney Park on Bath's festively lit Fire Truck.

6 p.m. Mayor Wallace rings in the festivities with the annual tree lighting.

6 p.m. Free hot chocolate, juice, chili, donuts, Christmas cookies ... more

6 to 8 p.m. Santa and his helper will visit with children in the Gazebo.( Photos available)

6 to 8 p.m. Free children's portraits by Bob Gelder

6 to 8 p.m. Free horse and wagon rides with Jim Emo (under the clock)

6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m.: Enjoy the Living Nativity at

6 p.m. Mayor Wallace rings in the festivities with the annual tree lighting.

6 p.m. Free hot chocolate, juice, chili, donuts, Christmas cookies ... more

6 to 8 p.m. Santa and his helper will visit with children in the Gazebo.( Photos available)

6 to 8 p.m. Free children's portraits by Bob Gelder

6 to 8 p.m. Free horse and wagon rides with Jim Emo (under the clock)

6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m.: Enjoy the Living Nativity at The First Presbyterian Church on the square in the west lawn.

7 p.m. Coloring contest winners announced. 6 to 7 p.m. Christmas Story Time sponsored by The Dormann Library.

6:15 p.m. Children's Group from Harvest Baptist Church

7 p.m. Chorus Group from Haverling

7:30 p.m. St. Mary's Choir

Bath Interact Club wreath sales, food vendors, craft vendors and more

Hammondsport's

30th Annual

Christmas in the

Park

Dec. 9, 5 to 9 p.m.

Featuring an old fashioned C h r i s t m a s w i t h Entertainment by:

 The Keuka Lake Players, strolling through the Village Shoppes

 The Lake Country Bell Ringers

 Village Square Harmony, A Barbershop Quartet

 Wagon Rides provided by Crooked Lake Carriage Company

 Hammondsport's Curtiss Elementary Chorus

 Hammondsport's Jr & Sr High Chorus

 Local Church Choirs

 Juggling act and balloon animals by Topsy Turvy Entertainment

 Santa arrives at 6pm

 Crafts, Food and more

Visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Collections will be at the Visitor Center in the park near Nativity Scene.