For many years, West Seneca’s community organizations — the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary and Woman’s Club — would host an annual Community Holiday Party highlighted by a dinner gathering at Kloc’s Grove. With government and health department officials continuing to place restrictions on indoor gatherings due to the pandemic, the event’s planning committee has decided to take the holiday festivities in an entirely new direction this year.
Instead of the annual dinner, the committee is creating a new event called “A Very Merry West Seneca” that the entire residential and business community can enjoy and participate in. Festivities will include:
• A tree-decorating competition between the service organizations and several local companies. Ten decorated trees will be on display Dec. 4-12 in the main atrium of the West Seneca Community Center & Library, located at 1300 Union Road. During that period of time, residents and visitors can stop to vote for their favorite tree. Guests will also have an opportunity to bid on each of the decorated trees, with the highest bidders winning their favorite trees and a portion of the proceeds donated to two West Seneca nonprofit organizations — Kids Escaping Drugs and the SPCA Serving Erie County. Spot Coffee in the Community Center will also have special offers on hot chocolate throughout the event.
In addition to the five community organizations listed above, other businesses and organizations decorating trees include: Kids Escaping Drugs, SPCA Serving Erie County, West Seneca PBA, GEICO Local Office West Seneca and Western New York Federal Credit Union.
• Also from Dec. 4-12, residents and visitors will be encouraged to shop, eat and play local! Restaurants, stores and entertainment venues in the town need your support now more than ever, and businesses will be encouraged to get into the spirit by decorating their establishments and offering special discounts during the nine-day period. Any businesses that would like to take part in the shop, eat and play local festivities Dec. 4-12 are encouraged to contact the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce at 674-4900 with their special offer.
• And finally, residents and businesses throughout the town will be encouraged to light up West Seneca by decorating for the holidays. Organizers would like to see as many homes and businesses decorated as possible to lift community spirit and attract visitors from nearby communities to our town to see the lights and visit our businesses. Judges will award prizes to the best-decorated homes and businesses. Residents and businesses interested in participating in the lighting/decorating competition are encouraged to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 674-4900 with their address and contact information.
“While we’re sad that we are unable to continue the holiday dinner tradition this year, our service organizations are thrilled that the new approach will lift spirits during this difficult time and also support our businesses that have been negatively impacted by the ongoing pandemic,” said Joe Kirchmyer, executive director of the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce. “And who knows? If this event is a hit with our residents, businesses and visitors, it may be the beginning of a brand new West Seneca tradition that everyone can look forward to, participate in and enjoy!”
Culminating the festivities on Dec. 12 will be a Firetruck Parade through the town. More details will be announced at a later date.
Event sponsors include Western New York Federal Credit Union, GEICO Local Office West Seneca and Gardenville Blooms. For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact event chair Amy Thompson at am************@gm***.com or the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce at 674-4900.
