The village of Oswego has announced a week's worth of holiday activities for the whole family as the annual Christmas Walk stretches from Dec. 5 through Dec. 12.
Reimagined due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic as "2020 Christmas Walk Week: Keeping Spirits Bright" and presented by Allied First Bank, this year's celebration will include a virtual Tree Lighting ceremony, Cookie Walk, holiday care-avans and a drive-through holiday celebration.
"The Village of Oswego, Oswego Downtown Association, and presenting sponsor Allied First Bank will be keeping spirits bright and supporting our downtown Oswego businesses with drive-through, socially distanced, and online events," a village press statement reads.
Festivities begin Saturday Dec. 5 with the annual Cookie Walk in downtown Oswego from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Participants can purchase a tin from a Main Street store for $10, and go to 22 participating stores collecting individually-wrapped cookies. Tins are limited, and day-of tins can be purchased at Floral Expressions, 26 Main Street, while supplies last.
At 5 p.m. Dec. 5, residents can tune into the GoOswego Facebook page to watch a pre-recorded broadcast of the village's tree lighting ceremony, and help Village President Troy Parlier "Save Christmas from the Grinch and light the Village's official tree."
A summer treat will return during the Christmas Walk festivities, with holiday care-avans scheduled for 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday Dec. 10. On Dec. 8, the "Green" route will start at Oswego East High School and head through Prescott Mill, Brighton Meadows, Ogden Falls, Churchill Club, Victoria Meadows, Heritage, Farmington Lakes, Mill Race Creek, Windcrest and Southbury.
On Dec. 10, the "Red" route will start at the site of the future Oswego Entertainment Venue, and wind through Gates Creek West, Blackberry Knoll, Fox Chase, River Run, Gates Creek, Hunt Club, downtown Oswego, Lakeview Estates West, Deerpath Creek, Morgan Crossing, Deerpath Trails, Ashcroft and Southbury.
Throughout the week, residents are encouraged to visit the small businesses in Oswego and along Main Street, with promotions and unique gifts showcased all week long on the GoOswego Facebook page. "Our downtown businesses have gifts galore and are taking extra precautions to keep shoppers healthy," the press statement read.
The week's festivities will conclude with a "Christmas Drive-Through Celebration" from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 12, at the site of the future Oswego Entertainment Venue on Station Drive with "Music, illuminated holiday displays, and appearances from some special holidays guests."
More information about the week's festivities, as well as the Care-avan routes, can be found on the Christmas Walk website.