AURORA - The tree was lit, chestnuts were roasting over an open fire on Main Street, choirs were caroling and the streets of Aurora were bustling for the village's annual Christmas in Aurora celebration Thursday evening.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Alice Thayer gets some roasted chestnuts from Peter Zoumas as characters from Aurora Stage Partnership's “A Christmas Carol” sing behind them on Thursday in Aurora. The play will be on December 5 and 6 at the Morgan Opera House.
Alice Thayer gets some roasted chestnuts from Peter Zoumas as characters from Aurora Stage Partnership's “A Christmas Carol” sing behind them on Thursday in Aurora. The play will be on December 5 and 6 at the Morgan Opera House.
Sara Wells, president of the Aurora Arts and Merchants Association, which sponsors the event, said it goes back as far as she can remember.
“It is just a wonderful time,” she said. “It brings the whole village together to celebrate and get in the Christmas spirit. It is a real tradition.”
All along Main Street, the trees were lit up and the merchants had their doors open, welcoming all that passed by, to stop, browse and relax with chestnuts and warm cider.
This year, the site where the village's post office once stood was opened up to allow more vendors.
Ellen Wikstrom, owner of The Perfect Lampshade, was participating in the festivities for the first time.
“It is a good time,” Wikstrom said. “You get to see a lot of people. There has been a real positive response. This is a good chance to raise public awareness about your business.”
Others such as Heather MacKenzie-Chaplet, of Home Again, in King Ferry, which sells unique items such as beaded jewelry, has participated in the celebration.
“I think it is a fine idea,” MacKenzie-Chaplet said. “You get to see all of these people and meet so many more people. I think this is a good thing to do in the community.”
Also joining in was Peachtown Elementary School, which was selling wreaths and other vendors, such as the United Ministry Church, which hosted the Aurora Pre-School and the San Pedro Sisters Community Project, which were selling baked goods.
The opportunity to peruse so many different merchants brought out many eager shoppers.
“I think this is really good,” Liz Howell, of Aurora, said. “It is good to see what is going on here and all the different kinds of things that are here for the holidays.”
But the celebration was about more than shopping. It was also a time to celebrate the spirit of the season.
At the Aurora Free Library, numerous events were taking place all night. Starting with crafts and games for children before moving to the Aurora Children's Concert, the lighting of the tree and a special visit from Santa Claus, which drew many children and their families to the library.
Anne Reynolds, of Aurora, and her daughter, Sarah, 8, have made it a tradition to come out to participate in all the excitement.
Sarah said she was particularly eager to talk to Santa and let him know that she wanted a bunny for Christmas.
“I think this is really special,” Reynolds said. “We always have a great time and we come out for the tree lighting and so Sarah can see Santa. I think this is a great event they put together and it is really nice for everyone.”
Also strolling the streets were actors in 19th century costumes, caroling and interacting with everyone.
With singing and lights, the small village's true character really shined through for many that came out to enjoy the evening.
“I love Christmas,” Alexandra Felix, a student at Wells College, said. “It is my favorite holiday. I think this is really unique. This is a small village and I think this is really cute and quaint and it is perfect for Christmas.”
The celebration culminated in a communitywide party hosted at the Aurora Inn, with free desserts, hot chocolate and live entertainment provided by groups such as Wells College's Whirligigs.
Wells said perhaps the most unique aspect of the whole event is the way it brings the entire village together to celebrate the season.
“This brings everybody together,” Wells said. “The community, businesses, the college. Everybody is working together to make this happen. This is a great example of all of us working together. We are all committed to this.”
“It is just a wonderful time,” she said. “It brings the whole village together to celebrate and get in the Christmas spirit. It is a real tradition.”
All along Main Street, the trees were lit up and the merchants had their doors open, welcoming all that passed by, to stop, browse and relax with chestnuts and warm cider.
This year, the site where the village's post office once stood was opened up to allow more vendors.
Ellen Wikstrom, owner of The Perfect Lampshade, was participating in the festivities for the first time.
“It is a good time,” Wikstrom said. “You get to see a lot of people. There has been a real positive response. This is a good chance to raise public awareness about your business.”
Others such as Heather MacKenzie-Chaplet, of Home Again, in King Ferry, which sells unique items such as beaded jewelry, has participated in the celebration.
“I think it is a fine idea,” MacKenzie-Chaplet said. “You get to see all of these people and meet so many more people. I think this is a good thing to do in the community.”
Also joining in was Peachtown Elementary School, which was selling wreaths and other vendors, such as the United Ministry Church, which hosted the Aurora Pre-School and the San Pedro Sisters Community Project, which were selling baked goods.
The opportunity to peruse so many different merchants brought out many eager shoppers.
“I think this is really good,” Liz Howell, of Aurora, said. “It is good to see what is going on here and all the different kinds of things that are here for the holidays.”
But the celebration was about more than shopping. It was also a time to celebrate the spirit of the season.
At the Aurora Free Library, numerous events were taking place all night. Starting with crafts and games for children before moving to the Aurora Children's Concert, the lighting of the tree and a special visit from Santa Claus, which drew many children and their families to the library.
Anne Reynolds, of Aurora, and her daughter, Sarah, 8, have made it a tradition to come out to participate in all the excitement.
Sarah said she was particularly eager to talk to Santa and let him know that she wanted a bunny for Christmas.
“I think this is really special,” Reynolds said. “We always have a great time and we come out for the tree lighting and so Sarah can see Santa. I think this is a great event they put together and it is really nice for everyone.”
Also strolling the streets were actors in 19th century costumes, caroling and interacting with everyone.
With singing and lights, the small village's true character really shined through for many that came out to enjoy the evening.
“I love Christmas,” Alexandra Felix, a student at Wells College, said. “It is my favorite holiday. I think this is really unique. This is a small village and I think this is really cute and quaint and it is perfect for Christmas.”
The celebration culminated in a communitywide party hosted at the Aurora Inn, with free desserts, hot chocolate and live entertainment provided by groups such as Wells College's Whirligigs.
Wells said perhaps the most unique aspect of the whole event is the way it brings the entire village together to celebrate the season.
“This brings everybody together,” Wells said. “The community, businesses, the college. Everybody is working together to make this happen. This is a great example of all of us working together. We are all committed to this.”
