Communities to host holiday festivals

Three area communities will celebrate the holidays this week with traditional outdoor festivals.

Bath's annual Spirit of Christmas begins at at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in Pulteney Park, when the Bath Volunteer Fire Department brings Santa and Mrs. Claus from Chemung Canal Bank, where the couple will have spent the afternoon greeting children.

Santa will help village officials light the Christmas tree in the park. The Spirit of Christmas also includes story telling, tasty food, wagon rides and musical entertainment.

Avoca's Country Christmas celebration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 with a parade that will bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to town. The celebration features pictures with Santa, a story time at 11:30 a.m. at the Avoca Free Library, a chili cook-ff and fruitcake contest at noon and a Christmas concert from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

All day events will include a live Nativity presented by he First Baptist

All day events will include a live Nativity presented by he First Baptist Church, face painting, horse-drawn carriage rides and a village-wide house decorating contest.

Hammondsport will also celebrate its traditional Christmas in the Park Dec. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. The festival includes caroling led by the Keuka Lake Players, horse-drawn carriage rides and treats to eat and drink. Santa arrives at 6:30.

Other performers include the Sterling Brass Band and Lake Country Bell Ringers. Gift wrapping service and crafts will be located in the Visitor Center, while craft vendors will set up in the park.