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LeRoy Winterfest

Jinglin' all the way to a jam-packed Le Roy Winterfest this Saturday

By Joanne Beck

Out of a decade’s worth of the annual Le Roy Winterfests that have happened in December, this is the first one that has drawn people together for an organized event, organizer Lori Steinbrenner says.

As a member of the newly formed FRESH Committee, which operates within Le Roy Business Council, Steinbrenner has been impressed with how much effort the village has put into the 2022 winter festival.

“It’s a great committee of business members; we’re really going after it and doing great things,” she said Wednesday. “The events committee is going strong; we’ve always had a Winterfest, but not like this. We’re putting on a united front. Anyone can come; the more the merrier."

Established just six months ago, the committee has organized an extravaganza of activities from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the village of Le Roy.

Don’t plan to rest and relax just yet, as the Jinglin’ All the Way Festive 5K heads out at 10 a.m., while local businesses prepare to offer assorted fun activities and additional vendors throughout the day. Steinbrenner, who owns Personal Preference salon, is hosting seven vendors at her shop, and others are likely to do the same, she said.

Santa Claus is going to have a busy day, from a visit at The Moose Club from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by 3 to 5 p.m. at the former Sweet Betty’s location, and then leading a parade at 5 p.m. from the old Bank of America parking lot to the Christmas tree, which is scheduled for lighting at 5:30 p.m.

There will be caroling around the tree with Le Roy Jr/Sr High School’s choir, s’more cones, Santa story time, hot chocolate from Dave Ehrhart and cookies from Le Roy Presbyterian Church. Tucked into the schedule is the Maddie Masters second annual one-mile walk, to begin at 3:30 p.m. at Sweet Betty’s.

Throughout the day, there will be a bounce house, balloon animals, business specials and craft and vendor sales. New this year is a horse and carriage ride, from 1 to 5 p.m. from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church parking lot along Wolcott Street to see the schools, Oatka Creek and Creekside’s “beautiful bubbles and Christmas trees,” Steinbrenner said.

Other activities include a kids obstacle course by BeyonDriven, crafts from noon to 5 p.m. and face painting from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Art of Mandy, and Woodward Memorial Library, from noon to 4 p.m., and Save-a-lot from 1 to 3 p.m., will also have face painting and kids’ crafts; and a store scavenger hunt and free hot chocolate and cookies, respectively.

Another new offering will be a poker run, set to run from 6 to 9 p.m. at five establishments: American Legion, The Moose, Capish! Brick Oven Pizza Ristorante, Sweet Betty’s, Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew. Wristbands are $10 each, and participants will get a cocktail and poker card at each stop before turning in their final hands for a 50/50 jackpot.

A three-piece acoustic band, Nate Coffey, will be performing at Smokin' Eagle to cap off the night.

Formed in June of this year, the FRESH Committee’s mission is to “promote commerce development, unity, beautification, and revitalization throughout the town and village of LeRoy,” with an emphasis on food and drink; retail; events and attractions; services; and enhancement.

“I wanted to bring some vitality, events and life to Le Roy,” Steinbrenner said, emphasizing that many business people have joined in to help. Click here for Winterfest details.

The Hope Center will also be having an offshoot Winterfest for families at 42 Main St., Le Roy, organizer Valerie Moore said. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, there will be oodles of games and prizes available for toddlers up to 12, including a bean bag toss, nerf target games, ice and candy cane fishing, ornament ball sorting, a snowman toss, lollipop matching game, snowball toss, snowball basketball and snowman dart board.

There will also be face painting, a snowman, snowflake, woodland animal and coloring craft; and goodie bags for each child.

“This event is a great way for families to spend time together doing some holiday activities and making memories,” Moore said.

Go HERE for more information. 

File Photo of Winterfest's Jinglin' 5K, by Howard Owens.

File photo by Howard Owens. The 2017 tree lighting.

Le Roy's Annual Winterfest 2014

By lucie griffis
Le Roy's Annual Winterfest 2014

Saturday, December 6th 10am-6pm

 

LET US COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY THIS HOLIDAYS SEASON!

SAVE TIME. SAVE GAS. CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS.

 

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & CAROLING 6PM

ALL ARE INVITED TO CAROL!  HOT CHOCOLATE SUPPLIED BY SPIRITS!

 

All businesses will be offering in-store specials and gift certificates!  Wrap up the savings shopping and supporting local!

 

Community Holiday Bazaar

By lucie griffis
Community Holiday Bazaar @The Moose Family Center Saturday, December 6th 10am-4pm

 

This is a community service event that all proceeds raised go to the LeRoy Pantry & Help Fund and LeRoy Christian Community Project.

SANTA ARRIVES VIA FIRETRUCK AT 1PM,

FREE CHILD ID'S, &

LCCP BAKE SALE

 

Chinese raffle and door prizes!

Monthlong 'Shop, Dine, and Win' begins in Le Roy

By lucie griffis
Shop, Dine, & Win in Le Roy

Nov. 6th-Dec. 6th (Winterfest)

 

For every $10 spent in purchases, gift certificates, and memberships at participating businesses you'll receive 1 entry into a drawing for prizes.

Bring receipts to the Community Holiday Bazaar, 21 Bank St. LeRoy between 10am-3pm on Saturday, December 3rd to receive entries.

 

SHOP & SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

START YOUR SHOPPING ON NOVEMBER 7TH AT FALL FOR LEROY 6-8:30

Event Date and Time
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Le Roy Winterfest 2011

By lucie griffis

There is an unexplainable feeling that overcame LeRoy yesterday.  The change was just in the air.  The weather was perfect.  The only way to explain it correctly would be the song "Silver Bells"-City sidewalks busy sidewalks ,Dressed in holiday style,In the air,There's a feeling of Christmas,Children laughing,People passing,Meeting smile after smile,"

Through a collaborative effort of the area businesses donating prizes for the Stroll through the Village, the children's activities, Santa's arrival, and all the great festivities that the individual businesses ran, our community came alive and together.

It was more than just a shopping day here.  People were out walking the Village streets.  That was the best thing I have seen in LeRoy in years!  Our local business owners saw many new faces, got to share there stores and services, and people realized what we have here locally.

I received calls and comments in person from both business owners and people who came out to enjoy the day.  People had so much fun and saw faces they had not in years.  They were happy with all the holiday decor, and just the over all feeling.  Java's and Scratch Bakery had one of their best days.  They had so many people coming in that they believe they may have had more that during Oatka festival and other events.  They had 120 entries in their in house drawing.

I stopped in throughout the activites and ALL the participating businesses were excited to be able to have their doors open and were having such a great time!  Children were walking around with the goodie bags the Town of LeRoy handed out.  

I just have to say we may be a small town , but we have a big heart!  We are definitely a hidden treasure in Genesee County.  Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday.  

As best said by one native, Selby Davis "Proud to be a LeRoyan today-it was the perfect day for our Winterfest, and the vendors and stores were all so festive.LOVED, LOVED, LOVED  the squiggly lights above the banners as I drove through at 9pm."

"LeRoy had the perfect Christmas spirit today. We had fun.  I loved the lights too!" Julie Long.

Winterfest in LeRoy this year was about so much more.  It was about a small community coming together to get people back walking our streets, taking notice to what we have here, to get back to shopping and supporting locally, and most of all getting the great community spirit and pride back.  I would have to say we exceeded that goal and got so much more.  

Santa's line was consistant for almost an hour and a half.  They arrived right up until 4pm to share their Christmas wishes.  Santa received lists and even a small gift.

Thank you to all who came out and all who took the time to make it such a great day.  

By the way we were asked to do it again next year and to bring back the parade! 

 

 

 

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