Dundee, Hammondsport plan holiday events

DUNDEE, HAMMONDSPORT—The villages of Dundee and Hammondsport are gearing up for their holiday celebrations this weekend.
The village of Dundee’s Touch of Christmas celebration will be held from 6 to 8 p.m Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Seneca Street Park. Village Trustee and organizer Judy Duquette said Santa Claus will be arriving at 6:05 p.m. She said Our Town RoCKS enabled the event to have horse and wagon rides this year. Duquette said Our Town RoCKS and Reads will be passing out one book per family at the event as well.
Duquette said the event will be at the same location as last year’s Touch of Christmas and will again be completely free. Food provided includes fried dough, chili, sausage, water chestnuts and bacon, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and hot dogs.
“Everyone can come with their families and leave their pocketbooks at home,” Duquette said. “It’s all greatly put on by sponsors and businesses in the community who donate their time, talents and money.”
She said music will be played by a DJ provided by the Merchant’s Association, along with the Freedom Village Singers. Duquette said the Penn Yan Community Choir will also be performing this year at 7:15 p.m. The Crystal Valley Mennonite Church will be putting on a live manger throughout the night. Duquette said a gift bag has been put together for 250 kids to get gifts from Santa.
Hammondsport’s 37th annual Christmas in the Park celebration is also Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the village square. The event includes a production by the Keuka Lake Players at 4 p.m. for free in the First Presbyterian Church. The lighting of the Christmas tree takes place at 5 p.m., while the Penn Yan Community Choir performs at 5:10 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the elementary symphonic band will play while the school choir will sing at 5:45 p.m.
Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m. on a fire truck to greet the crowd with Santa’s Second String reindeer from 6 to 8 p.m. The St. Thomas Bell Ringers perform at 6:30 p.m. while the Hammondsport Methodist Church Choir takes the stage at 7 p.m.
Horse-drawn hay wagon rides will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. while food and craft vendors will be at the park from 4 to 8 p.m.