The Brockport High School band members provided the music of the holiday.

Nearly 500 people attended the 5:00 p.m. holiday tree lighting Nathan Andrews was among the helpers.

Nichole VanWie with candle, ready for the walk. Photos by Rick Nicholson.

Brockport kicks off the holiday season, Santa train to roll

It was a weekend full of sales, ceremonies and entertainment when Brockport kicked off the holiday shopping season. The Downtown Merchants Open House was held the weekend of December 3 and featured a candlelight walk in which more than 250 people participated.

"The civic events were very well attended," Scott Winner, director of economic development said. "There were at least 400 people at the holiday tree lighting in Sagawa Park."

While the walkers made their way down the festive holiday streets, they were entertained by vocalists who were stationed on the porches of homes along the course of the walk. Following the tree lighting, the crowd proceeded to the St. Luke's Parish Hall where they were treated to holiday cookies, hot beverages and an art exhibit, while being entertained by a sing-along with the St. Luke's choir and a flute trio.

Again this holiday season, the Santa Train will take to the rails. Winner arranged for the Medina Railroad Museum to bring the Santa Train back to Brockport for the third year. The train features two diesel engines and five fully restored 1940s vintage Budd coaches.

Those who ride the rails with Santa will be treated to a historic narration by Village of Brockport Historian Emeritus Bill Andrews. Andrews will point out areas of historic interest and share local lore with the riders as they pass through the villages and countryside on rails once known as the "Niagara Falls Road."

Winner has also arranged for a special history train to take the entire Hill School fourth grade on a day long excursion to the Medina Railroad Museum. "It just seemed a natural fit because the students study local history and the railroad was critical to the development of our community, just as the canal was before it," he said.

Besides the seasonal tour, the line is still used to haul freight between Brockport and Niagara Falls.

If you go:
The train will run Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19. It will depart Park Avenue Station at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Tickets are $15 adults; $13 seniors; $10 children aged three to 16; under three, kids ride for free. The train will carry passengers westward to Fancher and back.

Northside Service owner/operators Brad and Lance Alexander will have their facility opened for use as a ticket booth and a concession stand. The Walk! Bike! Brockport! Committee will operate the concession stand selling hot beverages, snacks and candies.