This year’s Christmas in the Village was entirely planned, organized, and implemented within that same three week span, helmed by a new business owner in Lingle, who previously never experienced this event.

“This is my first year experiencing Christmas in the Village … and my first year running it,” said Lingle, Owner & Operator of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore.

The village was filled with an array of vendors from little clay gnomes and coasters, various festive baked goods shaped as elves, hot chocolate with marshmallows being served at the Lakewood Memorial Library to Caren’s Face Painting and children’s stories being offered. Also Santa was sitting in a red chair complemented by the live chainsaw carvings done by Sherwood Arts and Team Tree Guys.

Lingle credited Bernadette van der Vliet, Lakewood Farmer’s Market, for getting a lot of the vendors involved.

Caren Nicole of Caren’s Face Painting paints a child’s face at the Lakewood Memorial Library. Photo by Daryl Simons Jr.

“Bernadette has been a big help for us,” Lingle said.

Lingle added, she organized and brought vendors to the Lakewood Memorial Library, which hosted Pampered Chef, Borsari Food Co., Paparazzi Accessories, Piece of Cake, and Drifty Business. She could also be spotted taking photographs around the village for this event.

Attendees wandering about the village with friends, family, children, could be seen with wide smiles and joy as they meandered to and from various businesses and vendors. Considering that the weather was brisk, hovering around the mid-40s for much of the morning, traversing this street appeared to be pleasant for the people who walked on it.

Much of the snow had melted, leaving the sidewalks clean and ice free. Carolers appeared later in the day to sing with holiday cheer.

Lingle stated that once the Facebook group was created for Christmas in the Village, “vendors began reaching out, ones that had been involved in the past, asking how they could get involved again.” This yearly event emphasizes community, and community is made up of people, of businesses and organizations, he said.

A chainsaw interpretation of Lakewood’s clock tower was provided by Sherwood Arts.

The local businesses refused to give up following the news of a possible cancellation. “Myself and a few of the other people in the area just decided what if we try and do it anyways?” Lingle said. Lingle wanted to give people a reason to come down to the village. Businesses and vendors alike offered various discounts and displays for any people who wandered their way.

A vendor at MicroEstimating welcomed customers, displaying an array of creative gnomes, clay coasters, an decorative tree hangings.

The Lakewood Apothecary hosted vendor demonstrations by Reach Organic & CBD Oil. The Shabby Shrub offered Ornament Painting with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. Wine tasting was available at Bag & String Wine Merchants. Straight Fermentations displayed home brewing demonstrations, along with a basket giveaway.

While vendors displayed their products, other events throughout the day took place. Basket and gift card raffles were held by M. Sharp Salon and the Jamestown Area Federal Credit Union. Fairmount Antiques held a raffle for Swedish glass, coffee, and Chinese treats.

Businesses that participated in the event were Sherwood Arts Complex, Lakewood Memorial Library, AKS Sign Designs and Marketing, Bag & String Wine Merchants, The Shabby Shrub, Top Shop Screen Printing & Graphics, Group Ther-Happy, Chautauqua Art Gallery, 3 5 8 Productions, M. Sharp Salon Inc., Straight Fermentations, RydersCup Coffee, Craft Burgers & Brews, The Copper Bell, Lakewood Apothecary, Forge Health and Performance, Jamestown Area Community Federal Credit Union, and Off the Beaten Path Bookstore.

Vince Liuzzo of Sherwood Arts gives a chainsaw art demonstration at Christmas in the Village. Photo by Daryl Simons Jr.