StarShine set for Saturday evening

PENN YAN--The annual Christmas celebration in Penn Yan, StarShine, will move to a new day this year, Saturday, Dec. 7. Events will run from 4 to 7 p.m. including the crowning of Miss Penn Yan for 2020.
Main Street will be closed to traffic at 3 p.m. as many of the street vendors begin to set up. The evening will include a variety of music, entertainment, colorful lights, treats, historic displays, an elf school, special sales, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Miss Penn Yan program will start at 6 p.m. and the profiles of the four candidates are below.
Saturday evening will feature many specials at local businesses and a significant portion of the evening will be devoted to children's activities. They include a petting zoo, bounce house, games and activities. Santa's village will be at the downtown park at 4 p.m. and the Elf school is at the Penn Yan firehouse. The Elf school features decorating sugar cookies, making reindeer food, playing games, face painting and more.
Another highlight of the evening is the light display at the Sampson Theatre. The lights and music will be synced for a unique experience. New this year, Becky Prine, PYTCo co-president, has assembled live performances by regular PYTCo performers.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of StarShine.
Who will be Miss Penn Yan 2020?
The four Miss Penn Yan profiles are listed below:
1. CLARISSA ENOS
The daughter of Gary and Gayline Enos, Clarissa is a junior at Penn Yan Academy. She is sponsored by the Penn Yan V.F.W. Auxiliary. Clarissa has participated in varsity volleyball, cheerleading, Mustang field day, the Hope Walk and Christmas for the Needy.
She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Clarissa likes to volunteer at Penn Yan Manor and the Dresden Methodist Church.
If Clarissa was in charge of Penn Yan for a day, she would make the town a place where everyone in the community feels safe and welcome. She would organize a day where the people of the community can come together and brighten up the town by painting store fronts, planting trees and flowers, and hanging up decorations like flags.
2. KEIRA MAHER
The daughter of Nicole Bryson-Maher, Keira is a sophomore at Penn Yan Academy. She is sponsored by Penn Yan BPO Elks Lodge 7722. Keira is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Leos Club. She enjoys photography and creating news releases to increase good publicity. Gardening and babysitting are her hobbies.
If Kiera was in charge of Penn Yan for a day, she would promote the quality of life in the community by creating services to promote local businesses. These services could provide community service opportunities.
3. MADDIE MARTINI
The daughter of Peter and Margot Martini, Maddie is a sophomore at Penn Yan Academy. She is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Yankee Theatre Company (PYTCo.). Maddie participated in debate club, varsity soccer, JV basketball, FFA, school band, jazz band, student council and PYTCo.
She finds time to work at the Penn Yan Diner and enjoys reading, painting and baking.
If Maddie was in charge of Penn Yan for a day, she would help to educate not just our youth but all citizens of Penn Yan on how to become more environmentally aware. Eco-friendly, using compostable bags, starting to compost waste, eradicate pests and promote less dumping of waste into our waters would be her plan.
4. CASEY MARCELLUS
The daughter of Tim and Kathleen Marcellus, Casey is a sophomore at Penn Yan Academy. She is sponsored by the Living Well. Casey has participated in PYA drama, yearbook staff, school band, jazz band and is very active in PYTCo. She has spent quality time with Lady Mustang strength training and with the Penn Yan United Methodist Church, including a retreat for the church.
She enjoys swimming, camping, photography, cooking and baking.
If Casey was in charge of Penn Yan for a day, she would start a women and children home fundraising group and bring light to domestic abuse. She would encourage a monthly program to talk about the factors of domestic abuse.