AUBURN #- Auburn Public Theater's unofficial motto is, “It's all happening downtown ... again.”
On Saturday evening, thanks in large part to APT and the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District, the city of Auburn was as “happening” as it has ever been.
The downtown area was the site of the 21st annual Holiday Parade and Fun Day, a yearly event held to help residents usher in the holiday season.
And this year's affair was apparently the most successful yet.
In addition to the parade, the numerous events included family activities and entertainment at APT, horse-drawn carriage rides, chili tasting at Daut's restaurant, a bonfire in the City Hall parking lot, and an early appearance by Santa Claus himself.
“We've never had this many activities before, and we've had such a wonderful turnout,” said BID assistant director Connie Tallcot as she stood on Exchange Street before the parade began.
Since BID is under new management, she said, the organization was especially energized for this year's parade. “We really got the word out this year, through the schools, through Web sites ... we really utilized every avenue.”
Visitors began lining up at the APT door a full hour before the activities began, said Angela Daddabbo, the theatre's producing director, practically shouting to be heard above the din created by the throngs of guests.
The theatre was packed with people all afternoon as they were treated to face-painting, raffles, games and a performance by local musicians Bob Piorun and Julie Howard.
“In the 1800s, downtown Auburn was quite a happening place. We use our slogan to let people know what's going on here #) again,” Daddabbo said.
Outside the theater, the American Red Cross served hot chocolate to cold patrons from a booth set up in Genesee Mall. Meanwhile, carriage rides through the downtown area were given by Route 80 Quarry Ridge Stables from Nedrow.
At 6 p.m., the parade, led by local police, began at the corner of Fulton and East Genesee streets. The procession, consisting of representatives of 36 local organizations, made its way down Genesee Street as participants waved at the hundreds of guests on the sidewalks.
The numerous floats included those of the Auburn Doubledays, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, district attorney-elect Jon Budelmann and more than a dozen fire and rescue vehicles.
Standing on Exchange Street as the parade passed before finishing at city hall was Mary Stein, of Auburn, who was there with her grandchildren, Nicholas, 5, and Candace, 3.
“I've been to several of these (parades), but this is the first year I've been able to bring these guys,” she said as she gestured to the youngsters, who were busy waving at the passing procession.
As the parade wound down, the Auburn Civic Band played as guests crowded around the bonfire, which was presented by the Auburn Fire Department.
After City Hall's tree-lighting ceremony, the remaining visitors trooped back into the theater, where children visited Santa Claus while others joined in a sing-along led by Auburn musician Bob Lyna.
“I think people are starting to discover layer upon layer of interesting things about Auburn,” Daddabbo said. “We live in an incredible place, and the more we look, the more incredible it becomes.”
The downtown area was the site of the 21st annual Holiday Parade and Fun Day, a yearly event held to help residents usher in the holiday season.
And this year's affair was apparently the most successful yet.
In addition to the parade, the numerous events included family activities and entertainment at APT, horse-drawn carriage rides, chili tasting at Daut's restaurant, a bonfire in the City Hall parking lot, and an early appearance by Santa Claus himself.
“We've never had this many activities before, and we've had such a wonderful turnout,” said BID assistant director Connie Tallcot as she stood on Exchange Street before the parade began.
Since BID is under new management, she said, the organization was especially energized for this year's parade. “We really got the word out this year, through the schools, through Web sites ... we really utilized every avenue.”
Visitors began lining up at the APT door a full hour before the activities began, said Angela Daddabbo, the theatre's producing director, practically shouting to be heard above the din created by the throngs of guests.
The theatre was packed with people all afternoon as they were treated to face-painting, raffles, games and a performance by local musicians Bob Piorun and Julie Howard.
“In the 1800s, downtown Auburn was quite a happening place. We use our slogan to let people know what's going on here #) again,” Daddabbo said.
Outside the theater, the American Red Cross served hot chocolate to cold patrons from a booth set up in Genesee Mall. Meanwhile, carriage rides through the downtown area were given by Route 80 Quarry Ridge Stables from Nedrow.
At 6 p.m., the parade, led by local police, began at the corner of Fulton and East Genesee streets. The procession, consisting of representatives of 36 local organizations, made its way down Genesee Street as participants waved at the hundreds of guests on the sidewalks.
The numerous floats included those of the Auburn Doubledays, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, district attorney-elect Jon Budelmann and more than a dozen fire and rescue vehicles.
Standing on Exchange Street as the parade passed before finishing at city hall was Mary Stein, of Auburn, who was there with her grandchildren, Nicholas, 5, and Candace, 3.
“I've been to several of these (parades), but this is the first year I've been able to bring these guys,” she said as she gestured to the youngsters, who were busy waving at the passing procession.
As the parade wound down, the Auburn Civic Band played as guests crowded around the bonfire, which was presented by the Auburn Fire Department.
After City Hall's tree-lighting ceremony, the remaining visitors trooped back into the theater, where children visited Santa Claus while others joined in a sing-along led by Auburn musician Bob Lyna.
“I think people are starting to discover layer upon layer of interesting things about Auburn,” Daddabbo said. “We live in an incredible place, and the more we look, the more incredible it becomes.”
