Tag Archives: Winter Wonderland

Details about this year’s Winter Wonderland

2 Dec

Get ready for the Village of Webster to sparkle with holiday spirit when the annual holiday fun festival, Winter Wonderland, returns to Main Street, Veterans Memorial Park and Village Hall this coming weekend, on Saturday Dec. 6.

All of your family favorites will be back for the afternoon and evening, including choir performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, cookie decorating, live music, choir performances, storytime, games, face painting, a dance party, and a visit with Santa, culminating with the always spectacular Parade of Lights down Main Street.

This year for the first time, the Webster BID — who organizes the festivities — is also introducing a Community Donation Marketplace, set up in Veterans Park on North Ave. Community members are encouraged to bring donations for Webster Hope and Toys for Tots, which will be accepted all afternoon. Accepted items include:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Personal care poroducts
  • Hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens
  • Unwrapped toys
  • Household items (blankets, pillows, sheets)

Reliant Federal Credit Union and Oaks Brands will also be at the marketplace.

Down at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St., the Chorus of the Genesee will be hosting a Craft Fair from 2 to 8 p.m. In addition to the wide variety of crafters, there’ll be live music, refreshments and a cash bar.

And while you’re in town for the festivities, make sure to walk up the short block to the Webster Museum (18 Lapham Park), which will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. with live music and your chance to vote for your favorite decorated mini Christmas tree as part of the museum’s Festival of Trees. Kittelberger Flower Cards will be on sale, and the very popular Museum raffle will also be back this year, so bring a little cash, put a chance in for some great prizes and support the museum!

Plus, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children at the Village Hall Community Meeting Room from 3 to 5 p.m., when they have to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Kircher Park and travel west down Main Street to Fireman’s Field. It’s always amazing to see all of the fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything — parade by, covered in twinkling Christmas lights.

I’ll be walking around with my camera, so if you see me, smile nice!

Here’s a link to my gallery from last year’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights.

* * *

email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 12/2/2025)

Tags: , , ,

Photos from Winter Wonderland

8 Dec

It was cloudy, snowy and cold on Saturday for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration. So, basically, we had perfect weather.

I for one was hoping that it would snow for Winter Wonderland this year. I can’t remember the last time we had an actual wintry day (even when it was called White Christmas), which always seemed a little sad for something which is named after snow. So even though it meant bundling up and making sure you had some hot chocolate to warm your hands, I thought the weather was perfect.

The snow made the village sparkle even more than usual, enhanced by the illuminated snowflakes on the light poles, which this year for the first time had been transformed into bright and beautiful candy canes.

I didn’t get out to check out all the activities as much as I usually do, but when I was in town, I was pleased to see a lot of families exploring Gazebo Park, popping into the shops, grabbing some hot chocolate from the Webster Thomas Honor Society volunteers, visiting the museum and taking part in the scavenger hunt. The Rochester Rhapsody carolers were popping in and out of the shops and restaurants, too, providing some beautiful holiday music.

I was especially pleased to see the new Mary Wee Pub packed most of the day. For sure, some people went in to just get out of the cold, but I’m sure so many others were taking advantage of the opportunity to check out the village’s newest business, and perhaps have a pint at the same time.

As usual, I took a BUNCH of photos, mostly from the parade. I hope you enjoy them, especially if you weren’t able to be there this year. Click here to see the whole gallery.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 12/8/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Details about this year’s Winter Wonderland

29 Nov

The Village of Webster’s annual holiday fun festival, Winter Wonderland, returns to Main Street, Gazebo Park and Village Hall next weekend, on Saturday Dec. 7.

All of your family favorites will be back for the afternoon and evening, including carriage rides, crafts for the kids, cookie decorating, live music, story time, and a visit with Santa, culminating with the always spectacular Parade of Lights down Main Street.

Everything starts at 3 p.m., when Santa will welcome children in the warm Village Hall Community Meeting Room until 5:00 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

Here’s a quick look at everything else going on that afternoon evening:

  • 3:30 – 5:30 PM – Horse drawn carriage rides; departing from Veterans Park
  • 3 – 5:30 PM – Scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, crafts, music performances from Rochester Rhapsody chorus and Jerry Christopher, hot cocoa and popcorn and​​​​​​​ more along Main Street
  • 4:30 PM – Storytime with Jason from the Webster Public Library (location TBD)
  • 2 – 8 PM – Holiday Craft Show; Harmony House 58 East Main Street. Free admission, more than 30 vendors, live music, and cash bar with holiday cocktails

And while you’re in town for the festivities, make sure to walk up the short block to the Webster Museum (18 Lapham Park) where there’ll be live music from 2 to 6 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees. The very popular Museum raffle will also be back this year, so bring a little cash, put a chance in for some great prizes and support the museum!

A few event locations are still being finalized, and when they do, the Webster BID will be posting the final details and a map online at websterbid.com, so stay tuned for that.

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Kircher Park and travel west down Main Street to Fireman’s Field. It’s always amazing to see all of the fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything — parade by, covered in twinkling Christmas lights.

I’ll be walking around with my camera, so if you see me, smile nice!

Here’s a link to my gallery from last year’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/29/2024)

Tags: , , , ,

Photos from Winter Wonderland and the Parade of Lights

3 Dec

It would be nice if one year — just one year — it would snow for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities. Some wintry flakes would certainly enhance the holiday atmosphere. But in the last few years, at least it didn’t rain.

This year we didn’t even get that lucky. At least for most of the afternoon it was just cloudy, but shortly before the parade started it began to sprinkle and did so for pretty much the entire evening. The cold, rainy weather didn’t seem to turn many people away, however. It seemed to me there were a lot more people this year, more families making cookies and crafts in Gazebo Park, more kids dancing around with Denise and listening to Jason from the Public Library tell stories. And the lines to see Santa and take a wagon ride were — as always — quite long.

Kudos especially for the Webster Village Hall staff for the beautiful backdrop they created for Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Community Meeting Room, and for taking a photo of every family who visited. (Keep an eye on the Village website or Facebook page for when the photos are posted. I’m not sure where they’ll be.)

Thank you to the Webster Business Improvement District for another great year. This is always such a great family event with so many things to do and see, from the crafts, cookies and hot chocolate to the live performances by the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody.

And of course thank you to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department for the always spectacular Parade of Lights. It’s always a delight to see how much fun the participants are having as they march their costumes, and how much fun the spectators have as each sparkling truck or float rolls by. Even if they are huddled under overhangs and umbrellas.

Click here for this year’s gallery of photos.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/3/2023)

Tags: , , , ,

Winter Wonderland at the Webster Museum

29 Nov

A few days ago I posted a blog with details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festivities in the Village of Webster on Saturday Dec. 2. But I wanted to separate out the Webster Museum for special treatment because they have a lot of cool stuff going on that day, even before the festival starts.

The museum’s fun-filled winter celebration kicks off with a book sale and signing by local author Bill Schoff, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A retired Plank Rd. North Elementary teacher, Bill has authored four wonderful books of fun poetry for the child in all of us. For this special event, all of Bill’s books are on sale for $10 each, cash or check only.  Bring your own to be signed, or purchase one at the museum on the day of the signing.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the museum will have live music, featuring The Saxophone Therapy Project until 4:45, followed by The Goodwin Family from 5 to 5:45 p.m., providing instrumental music with a sing-a-long.

The Festival of Trees officially opens this Saturday as well. Fifteen beautifully decorated miniature Christmas trees have been placed throughout the museum, and community members are encouraged to see them all and vote for your favorite. They’ll be on display through Dec. 31, but if you can’t make it to the museum before then, you can also vote online at the museum’s website. (That link will be posted soon!)

Many local nonprofit organizations have worked hard to create these beautiful trees, and prize monies will be awarded. So stop on down and cast your vote!

The spectacular Burkardt Family Crèche will be on display for the month of December.  Handcrafted in Germany between WWI and WWII, it was shipped to the Burkardt family in Webster at the end of the war. You can read more about it in this blog I wrote about it last year.   

Finally, here’s a unique holiday gift idea which will delight someone you love, and benefit the museum at the same time. It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during Winter Wonderland and receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’ll be open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 2.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/29/2023)

Tags: , , ,

Webster community mailbag

15 Nov

Here’s a great way to spend a cold almost-winter evening: take in a Webster Thomas High School drama production!

The WTHS Drama Club will present John Buchan’s spy thriller The 39 Steps on the Thomas stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 16, 17 and 18, at 7:30 p.m. each night.

The story goes like this: Richard Hannay is a desperate man on the run. The police want him for murder and a web of spies want him dead. It’s a hilarious tale of international intrigue, murder, and mayhem, often described as “Alfred Hitchcock meets Monty Python.”

Cast members include Jaina Brien, Jack Dayton, Evelyn Fellows, Mia Fellows, Brook Hoffer, Veronica Leistman, Bobby LoFaso, Jamie McCarthy, Abigail McNett, Logan Penza, Makayla Richardson, Katie Steele, Ella Vernacotola, and Adriana Zodarecky. They’re supported by crew members Ananya Bobbala, Abigail DeLallo, Sara Gesner, Jocelyn Herrle, Zoey Hryhorenko, Kilian Klawitter, Catherine Magaw, Yogapreetha Pramothkumar, Savannah Riggs, Amelia Snell, Ava Vernacotola, and Riley Weller. 

The show runs November 16, 17, and 18 in the Webster Thomas Auditorium, 800 Five Mile Line Road, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $10, and can be purchased in advance at from HomeTown Ticketing.

Webster NY HOPE has published their November/December wish list, which includes:

  • sugar
  • flour
  • coffee
  • ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard
  • canned beets
  • diapers (size 6)
  • toiletries (soap, shampoo, deoderant, etc.)
  • laundry detergent
  • gently used toddler clothing

Items can be dropped off during regular operating hours, Monday 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday 3 to 5 p.m. and Thursday 5 to 7 p.m. The offices will be closed Thanksgiving week.

Webster NY HOPE is located at 1450 Ridge Rd.

Next time you’re at the Webster Public Library, make sure to browse the beautiful art on display in the main lobby.

The Webster Art Club’s Fall Show is up and running through Nov. 29. This is also a good chance to think about if you’d like to join this great group of artists. The club is always looking for new members. They meet for Open Art every Wednesday at the Webster Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to noon and have meetings with guest artists and demos on the second Wednesday of each month.

For more information, click here.

The West Webster Fire Department invites community members to help clean up the Lake Rd. memorial honoring fallen WWFD firefighters Lt. Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, on Saturday Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.

Please bring gloves, weed trimmers, takes and trash bags. The memorial is located on Lake Rd. just past Sandbar Park.

Bernardi & Co. CPA, at 40 Barrett Drive, is hosting two free financial seminars in the coming weeks, designed for individuals and small businesses who could use a little advice.

The first, focusing on Tax Strategies and Managing Debt, will be held on Wednesday November 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. The second, on Saving and Investing, is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Both seminars will be held at the Bernardi & Co. offices, and there’s no cost. But please RSVP as space is limited. Email Elena@bernardiCPA.com to reserve your spot. If you have any questions, call 585-217-9393.

A couple of Village events in the coming weeks to tell you about.

The first is a free shredding event on Friday Nov. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. behind Village Hall at 28 West Main.

This event will be accepting paper only, and paper must be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (no totes or bags). Staples do not need to be removed. Limit is five boxes per vehicle.

This is a drive-through event; just drive up behind Village Hall and volunteers will unload the papers from your car.

And here’s your first notice about the annual Webster Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights celebration!

This year’s holiday fun will take place on Saturday Dec. 2 beginning at 3:30 p.m. On tap this year, are horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, caroling, and more. The North Pole will return to Gazebo Park with arts and crafts, story hour from the Webster Public Library and hot cocoa. Santa will visit with children in the Village Hall community meeting room so everyone can stay warm.

Then, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Parade of Lights heads down Main Street, brought to you by the Webster Volunteer Fire Department.

More details to come, but to stay on top of it all, visit the Webster BID website regularly. (Or better yet, sign up for the newsletter!)

And since we’re talking about White Christmas and Santa, here’s a teaser for something very exciting coming up on Small Business Saturday: rumor has it that Santa will be in town, shopping along Main Street and North Ave. Stay tuned for details about when he’ll be out and about!

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/15/2023)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

What’s coming up in the village this fall

25 Sep

Well, unfortunately the Bed Races didn’t happen as planned — hopefully they’ll be back in the spring — but our Webster Business Improvement District (BID) folks are undeterred, and are still planning plenty of fun family events in the next few months.

The next big event is the brand new Health and Wellness Fair, scheduled for Saturday Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Village Hall. Details are still coming together for that but there are already 25 vendors signed up. More information to come about this soon.

The village’s annual Trick or Treat Trail returns on Saturday Oct. 28, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The costume contest will also begin at 11:30, so you can stop by there first then head right outside to begin your trick or treating. I’ll be posting an entire blog about this as well soon.

The Bourbon Bash is back, on Saturday Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House. At this event you can sample bourbons and whiskey from local and national distilleries, complemented by food samples from local restaurants.Tickets should be on sale before the end of the month, and this always sells out, so visit the Webster BID website regularly to stay on top of that.

the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration will be back on December 2, complete with the Parade of Lights, and the BID is also still hoping to get a Beer Walk on the schedule before the weather gets too cold.

Lots of more information to come about all these events, but you can be one of the first in the know by visiting the Webster BID website regularly and signing up for the BID newsletter.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 9/25/2023)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Webster community mailbag

27 Nov

Just in time for gift-giving, the Friends of the Webster Public Library will be holding their Winter Book Sale beginning Tuesday Nov. 29.

The Friends sold the event in their press release better than I could:

Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season wear you down! The Friends of the Webster Public Library have the perfect solution to your holiday stress. The Friends are holding a Winter Holiday Book Sale at the library. Gently used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles for adults and children will be available for purchase.

The sale begins Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. and runs during regular library hours for the next several weeks . . . or until sold out! Children’s items are in limited supply so shop early for the best selection and help support the library! All monies raised will go to support library programs and initiatives.

Free Breakfast With Santa

The Lions Club will hold their annual Breakfast With Santa on Sunday Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, english muffins, juice and coffee. Raffles and gift certificates will also be available.

There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted (and encouraged) to benefit the Webster Community Chest and other Webster Lions Club charities.

St. Martin Evening With Santa

Here’s another opportunity to get a free photo with Santa, plus cookies and pizza (if you prefer that over breakfast).

St. Martin Lutheran Church on Bay Road will hold its annual “Evening with Santa” holiday event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fri. Dec. 2, Have your family holiday picture taken in a professional photo setting at St. Martin with Webster’s own Professional Santa, the same Santa as seen in Webster’s White Christmas & famous Firemen’s Parade of Lights. Pictures will be available on the spot and they’re absolutely free. (No need to wait in long lines at the mall or pay for a photo.)

Santa will arrive by fire truck, and will be handing out candy canes to all of his visitors. Bring your own camera for selfies with the elves, watch the children tell Santa their most secret wishes, help the children decorate their own Christmas cookies and write a letter to Santa, and listen to Santa read “The Night Before Christmas.”

There will be lots of games for the children, free pizza, and later, hear Pastor Korey read the Christmas Story as written in the Gospel of Luke.

Families who attend are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the church’s Food Cupboard, to help another family enjoy their holiday season just a bit more.

Christmas Cookie Sale

The Women’s Club of Webster will hold their 28th annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday Dec. 10 in the Webster Public Library community room. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until they’re sold out.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s scholarship funds and other Webster community programs. The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

Webster’s Winter Wonderland Details

Well, you’re going to have to wait another day or two for these, but rest assured you’ll get the full line-up here shortly. But I do want to make sure you remember to 1) wear your ugly sweaters all day, 2) bring a nonperishable food item to drop off at Village Hall to benefit Webster Hope, and 3) stop by the Webster Museum to vote for your favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree.

More to come. Stay tuned!

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/26/2022)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,