Thanks to the hard work of organizers from the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation and the Express Performing Arts Center, residents can expect to see the town transformed into a winter wonderland.

The festivities will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 29, with two events that are being hosted by the RACDC. The first will be the small business Saturday, which will be taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will see a host of local businesses having potential special offerings available for guests. The second event will be the annual memorial tree lighting. This event allows for members of the community to purchase an ornament to honor a loved one who has passed, before seeing the ornaments displayed on a beautifully lit tree. Those interested in purchasing an ornament can do so from Raw Juice & More, Randolph Retail, Cattaraugus County Bank, Community Bank, the Randolph Library, the Town Clerk’s Office, or online through paypal. Ornaments will be available for purchase at these locations until Saturday, Nov. 29, at noon.

The next big day of events is Dec. 6, with four events scheduled already. The first of these is the annual holiday craft show that will be taking place at Randolph Central School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event contains a wide range of vendors and local artists who will have a plethora of items available for sale. There is also a holiday-themed magic show that is currently planned to begin at 10 a.m. at the Randolph Public Library. Additionally, children will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus at Raw Juice & More from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The day will be wrapped up at the end with one large traditional event that will follow.

The annual Christmas parade will be taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. Known as the Light Up the Night parade, it has been a staple with the community to mark the holiday season for many years.

Raw Juice & More, the location of some festivities, with decor all over the front windows.

The parade is hosted each year by the Express Performing Arts Center in partnership with the RACDC, with performing arts center owner and director Melissa Anderson helping to lead the initiative. Anderson noted that there will be a special theme for the parade this year, that being Candyland Christmas. Therefore, Anderson encouraged anyone that wishes to show up with candyland decor to add an extra exciting element to the festivities. Anderson stated that the parade will begin at the Randolph Town Barn on Wadsworth Street, and will proceed left onto Main Street until arriving at the Town Municipal Building.

Anderson mentioned that the town’s parade had been a core memory for herself, and many other residents, while growing up. When the parade ultimately ceased, Anderson wanted to take it upon herself to ensure that children in Randolph would be able to continue making memories at the parade. This led to Anderson, along with husband Jason, bringing back the parade about 14 years ago.

“We really thought that it would be something cool to give back to the community, to bring that parade back, and really just bring back the Christmas spirit in Randolph, ” said Anderson. “It is such a great community and we’re honored to be a part of the business community there, so that was kind of our way of helping to give back by bringing that Christmas parade back.”

Finally, the events will wrap up with a breakfast with Santa Claus on Dec. 7. This will take place at the American Legion in Randolph from 9 to 11 a.m. Event organizers are currently working on a Purse and Tool Bingo Night. The original time and location for this event have since been changed. The RACDC is expected to release updated information on the event soon. For more information contact 716-358-9701.