GOWANDA - Residents of Gowanda will experience some Main Street holiday magic when the village hosts Christmas in Gowanda on Friday.
Businesses in Gowanda will stay open longer and Christmas activities will be available throughout downtown.
"Business owners in the Gowanda area rallied together in an effort to encourage area residents to shop local, which resulted in businesses agreeing to stay open after hours on Fridays, December 7 and 14," said Heather McKeever, Gowanda mayor.
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The Gowanda Chamber office is one of many storefronts decorated for Christmas in Gowanda.
The Hollywood Theater will show a holiday movie starting at 5 p.m. and continuing every hour until 8 p.m. Santa will return to Amish Collections from 5-8 p.m.
The Gowanda High School Chamber Choir will perform an outdoor concert downtown. Wagon rides will be provided by Misty Ridge Carriage Service. Outdoor vendors will also selling crafts and food will be available.
The atmosphere of the event is to have residents think back to past Christmas holidays as well as think about creating new memories.
"In effort to bring back a touch of the past, the businesses created an environment downtown that will take anyone back in time to their childhood memories and also creating new memories for those who visit our quaint village and enjoy the sites and sounds of Christmas in Gowanda," McKeever said.
To promote businesses in Gowanda, a giveaway is being held. For every $10 spent at local businesses in Gowanda, a ticket will be given for a chance to win a "Shop Local" basket. More than 20 businesses have contributed items to the basket valued at more than $500. The winner will be drawn Dec. 22 at noon under the Hollywood Theater marquee.
The businesses that will take place in Christmas in Gowanda will be Jessie's Toy Box, Gowanda Area Chamber, Gable Brothers, Hagers, McCormacks Hardware, Allison's, Soles Unlimited, Cards and More, Main Street Style, Positively Mane Street and the Calming Touch, all located on Main Street; Olympia, Amish Collections, Hair We Are, Heaven Scent, Chloes Cleaners, Clothing and More, Artista, Reitz Liquor Store, Lavia's Pizzeria and Cappozzi's Pizzeria on Jamestown Street; and the Attic and Gowanda Village Laundromat, located on Buffalo Street. Blade Village on Route 62 in Collins, Gowanda Harley Davidson and Maple Glen Sugar House, both on Gowanda Zoar Road, will also be participating in Christmas in Gowanda.
"Businesses who have made our festive activities possible include The Hollywood Theater, Community Bank, Gowanda Harley Davidson, Designer Pools and Gowanda Village Laundromat," McKeever said. "My hope is that people will discover all that Gowanda has to offer."