Community spirit, timeless traditions for this year’s Dryden Holiday Celebration

The Dryden Holiday Celebration has become a day full of festivities, community spirit and timeless traditions.

The event, which began in the 1920s, started as a small tree-lighting ceremony. Organizer Diane Pamel, the former Southworth Library director, said in the past that the celebration has steadily grown over the years.

“It’s been a long-standing holiday tradition here since then, in many different forms,” Pamel noted. “More recently, it started growing into something bigger.”

The annual celebration will return on Dec. 6. The event will include activities throughout the day, a live nativity scene, community caroling, Santa’s grand arrival on a fire truck to light the village of Dryden’s Christmas tree and more.

“We’re excited to see everybody and excited to host it. It’s a great time,” said Laura Lusk, the current Southworth Library director.

The schedule of festivities and activities include merchants offering sales, free tastings, open houses, holiday crafts, a visit from Santa, local shopping specials and refreshments provided by the Village of Dryden and the Dryden Fire Department — including cocoa, cider and cookies.

“It does take a village to do a village event,” Lusk said.

The Dec. 6 schedule is as follows:

• Breakfast with Santa at The Dryden Hotel from 8 to 11 a.m. with Cops, Kids & Toys, and at The Corner Brew from 9 to 11 a.m. People can take photos with Santa.

“Santa will be positioned on our couch, ready for self-captured photos with kids. Our normal breakfast and coffee menu will be available, plus some fun drink specials for the day,” said Kayla Lane, owner of The Corner Brew. “We absolutely love this event. Not only does it bring families into the shop at such a magical time of year, but it’s great to see that we can combine our space for weekend food and drink, plus an event for kids and families alike. It’s free, of course — and such a blessing to be able to contribute to a communitywide event. We are hopeful it will be just as enjoyable as in years past.”

• Dryden Agway will hold a holiday craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Agway will offer homemade items from local artisans, pony rides and more.
• The Dryden Town Historical Society is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature local exhibits, historic ornament crafts and refreshments.
• Celina’s famous cookies will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Falcon Optical.
• Southworth Library will have stories with Santa at 11:30 a.m., with crafts and cookies until 1 p.m. Lusk noted that Bluey will also appear and a book and ornament giveaway will take place. Pickup and drop-off for the hayride will be located at the library.

“We’re planning to do the things that the library has done,” Lusk added. “We’re excited to be part of the holiday celebration.”

• Horse-drawn hay wagon rides, provided by the Carpenter family, will go through the village from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Family-friendly farm animals will be included.
• Protagonist Books & Coffee, a new sponsor and lead partner of the celebration, will host a visit with Santa from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Brandy Santa will provide tastings for adults at Dryden Wine & Spirits from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Dedrick’s Farm Market will have games and other fun activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Pine Ridge Grocery store will hold a holiday coloring contest for kids from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Dryden Presbyterian Church will be open from 5 to 6 p.m. for refreshments during the live nativity scene and caroling.
• Dryden Middle School and Dryden High School will lead caroling at the tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. Santa’s arrival on the fire truck to light the tree is tentatively scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Pamel, along with Sam and Amber Gellar-Smith of Protagonist Books & Coffee, will anchor the village-wide scavenger hunt. Participants can pick up a scavenger hunt sheet and schedule of events between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Protagonist at 8 W. Main St.

“More than 20 local businesses and organizations are participating, each displaying a poster with a hidden clue. Completed sheets may be returned to Protagonist Books & Coffee, and for every five clues completed, participants earn an entry into a drawing for merchandise and prizes donated by local businesses, with a special bonus for those who find them all,” according to details about the scavenger hunt.

“The Dryden Holiday Celebration continues to embody the warmth, generosity and small-town charm that make this community shine,” Pamel said in a release. “Residents and visitors alike are invited to come enjoy the magic of the season in the heart of the village of Dryden. It promises to be a wonderful day of holiday cheer for all.”

For more information, questions or to find how to be involved as a volunteer, email Pamel at dpamel@gmail.com. 

People can also call or text Pamel at 607-280-3345.