Santa and Mrs. Claus (aka Mark and Debra Puckhaber) are pictured arriving in Westfield on the back of a 1997 Camaro Convertible.

WESTFIELD — The weekend before Thanksgiving has long been the kickoff for the holiday season in Westfield.

The weekend began with the Hall of Christmas shopping experience in Eason Hall as a way of highlighting local businesses. It has evolved over the years to include craftsman and charity organizations selling and showcasing their goods and services. Prior to the event Eason Hall is decorated by Marilyn Hemmer, village beautification director, and her main helper, husband and Chautauqua County Legislator John Hemmer. Hemmer has been organizing the event for many years.

Horse drawn carriage rides provide visitors with a brief tour of town at no charge, this year sponsored by the vendors and the Westfield Women’s Organization. The Westfield Electric Company lights up the town with stars on the poles while the park downtown features the gazebo (newly painted by the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club), the tree and, new this year, pole trees. Downtown merchants decorate their stores with lights and Christmas decorations, many offer discounts and Christmas gift ideas.

Friday night brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to Moore Park on Main and Portage streets to light the village Christmas tree. In previous years Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrived via tractor, electric company truck, grape picker and truck — it is always a surprise. This year they arrived on a 1997 red convertible Camaro that had been outfitted with Christmas lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way through the crowd greeting folks along the path from the clock to the gazebo. After the tree lights were turned on Santa and Mrs. Claus, posed for pictures with children with help from Y.W.C.A. elves who passed out bags of cookies and candy canes.

Saturday featured Hot Toddy crawl and shopping punch cards had folks visiting many shops, the library, Lake Shore Center for the Arts and restaurants. Music was provided by Rosie’s Workshop. As darkness was descending the Let There be Light parade began from the Westfield Academy and Central School school parking lot heading west down Main Street led by the Westfield Police Department. There was a stand for the judges and the Chautauqua Sunrise television crew set up in front of the Methodist Church. Doc Hamels and his sidekick Rick Mascaro kept up commentary with County Executive P.J. Wendell contributing to the rhetoric.

Parade winners were, first place, Christmas Vacation, second place, Lakeshore Assembly of God Church, and a tie for third place between the Main Diner and Sandy Brown’s VW Bug. The parade was sponsored by Kevin and Kim Doughrity of Grace and Abe’s on Portage Street.

For more information, email sposter@chautauquachamber.org.