IN THIS YEAR THAT WE'VE ENDURED...
LET'S HAVE AN ONEONTA CHRISTMAS STAYCATION!
Yes, we are reviving the spirit of Clark Griswold and his crew for our Christmas festivities this year! We've all seen the holiday classic, "Christmas Vacation." Well, join the Oneonta Business Association, the City of Oneonta, and community organizations for a terrific ONEONTA CHRISTMAS STAYCATION!
NEW: The Griswold Goodwill Tour of Homes
Decorate your home by December 1 and participate in our grand tour of homes! Mayor Richard Phillips will design a map to guide you on the tour of the decorated homes (and downtown holiday decorating entries and sights to see!). Entries must be located within the city limits of Oneonta. You will have the opportunity to VOTE online by December 7 for your favorite entry. The lucky winner will receive a Griswold Goody Basket filled with holiday delights, including a JELLY OF THE MONTH subscription (donated by the Old Field General Store), a special edition copy of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie on DVD, a stuffed squirrel, and other surprises!
Light the Town Campaign Continues
In 2019, the OBA began raising funds with which to replace the old, incandescent Christmas lights that were removed from the tops of downtown buildings in late 2018. About 25 years ago, Glenn Glaze with Ace Hardware donated the lights which had to be taken done due to deterioration of lines and the expense of powering the incandescent bulbs. The OBA was successful in completing Phase 1 of the commercial grade LED lighting system in the downtown area and beyond. As funds allow, we will continue to expand this project. You can donate online. For the 2020 holiday season, lights have been placed on the Charlie B's Restaurant building and the City has installed our lights on the Little Brick Church. We also installed new, wide angle bulb LED lights on the trees and shrubs downtown, as well as the gazebo and the trees in that area. For more details, click here.
8th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest
Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to decorate storefronts, yards, and structures within the city limits of Oneonta and in the business zone to compete for awards. There is no fee to enter. Let's knock it out of the park this Christmas season! Click here for details.
3rd Annual Festival of Lights Tree Contest
We now have 33 beautifully decorated standard size Christmas trees and two flagship trees on display now through January 1, 2020, at the Gazebo Green located at 1st Avenue East and 4th Street, in front of the Angel Wings mural. For more details, click here.
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One of the flagship trees is sponsored by St. Vincent's Blount. Volunteers and hospital staff worked together to decorate this tree to be reminiscent of the year that 2020 has been. In the hospital lobby, folks were invited to write your sentiments on a white cloth mask that was used to decorate the tree, along with other special ornaments.
The other flagship tree was sponsored by the City of Oneonta and titled, "Smiles of the Season." They gathering images of local citizens to feature on ornaments of the tree, along with other ornaments depicting City organizations and landmarks. Be sure to check out this tree when you tour the display!
The other flagship tree was sponsored by the City of Oneonta and titled, "Smiles of the Season." They gathering images of local citizens to feature on ornaments of the tree, along with other ornaments depicting City organizations and landmarks. Be sure to check out this tree when you tour the display!
----- DATED EVENTS -----
We'd like to include all community Christmas events.
Email the details to christmas @oneontabusinessassociation.com.
Email the details to christmas @oneontabusinessassociation.com.
Saturday & Sunday, November 14-15, 2020
Decorating Town
Volunteers will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the gazebo for work assignments and then branch out to place warm white LED Christmas lights on the trunks of the crepe myrtle trees on 1st Avenue East and on the shrubs. They will also decorate the City's gazebo, public restroom structure, and three adjacent "regular" trees. The Christmas trees will also be set up in the green space around the gazebo. What doesn't get done on Saturday will continue on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The lamppost banners will be switched out to Christmas ones by December 1. Your help and ideas are welcome and most appreciated! Email christmas@oneontabusinessassociation.com to let us know of any ideas you may have in decorating our hometown for the holidays! Also, if you'd like to volunteer, please email us, too, so we can put you on our list of Santa's helpers that day! For information, call 205-446-0462.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Movie with Santa at the Neely, 306 1st Ave E
4:00 pm (Showtime 4:30 pm)
Children and their parents are invited to meet Santa at 4:00 p.m. and then enjoy the 1964 classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." After the fun, stroll on down the street to the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (details below). This event is jointly sponsored by the Covered Bridge Players, Neely School of Music & Arts, and the Oneonta Business Association.
Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Everyone met at 6:00 p.m. at 1st Avenue & 4th Street to witness the turning on of all the lights on all the beautifully decorated trees! The OBA sponsored free rides on two horse-drawn carriages, and the Oneonta Fire Department gave rides atop their brightly and festively lit firetruck. Deborah Sarcinelli and friends provided holiday music, and Santa Claus was on hand for photos and to hear Christmas wishes. One extra special surprise was the SNOW provided by the OBA via two snow blowers from Global Special Effects out of Lexington, Alabama, who have provided snow for many Hollywood movies.
Friday, November 20, 2020
Sip, Stroke, & Socialize @ Limestone Springs
Join the fun at 5:30 p.m. at the Club House of Limestone Springs Golf Club, 3000 Colonial Drive, Oneonta. Get your tickets now for a fun evening of sipping your favorite cocktail, enjoying appetizers, painting a Santa door hanger with Erica Hicks Whited, and just socializing while social distancing. Tickets are $45. Space is limited, so get your tickets early. Contact Noval Hudspeth at 205-274-4653 for more information.
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
6-8 pm, Benjamin Kirk Clothing, 227 1st Ave E
Children are invited to come see Santa Claus from 6-8 pm! Feel free to bring your own camera, smart phone, or other device to snap your own photos!
THE OBA'S WONDERFUL SANTA LISTENS TO THIS GIRL'S WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS!
Friday, December 4, 2020
CANCELLED !!!! Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus @ St. Vincent's Blount
UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Drive through the entrance of St. Vincent's Blount to see Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus and get your picture made free of charge! More details to follow!
Live Nativity Scene, 6-8 pm
Drive by the "Angels in Oneonta" mural on Railroad Boulevard to see costumed characters and animals staging the scene representing the stable where Jesus was born. Remember the Reason for the Season!
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Live Nativity Scene, 6-8 pm
Drive by the "Angels in Oneonta" mural on Railroad Boulevard to see costumed characters and animals staging the scene representing the stable where Jesus was born. Remember the Reason for the Season!
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Oneonta Christmas Staycation Awards Ceremony, 6 pm
Join us at the Angel Wings Mural for the announcement of winners of our tree decorating and storefront decorating contests, as well as the "People's Choice" winner of the Griswold Goodwill Tour of Homes! Martha Chasteen, the RISING STAR of the SINGING SHOWDOWN, will be presenting holiday music leading up to the announcement at 6:00 p.m.
Note: The Blount County/Oneonta Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, has been CANCELLED due to concerns over the pandemic.
Note: The Blount County/Oneonta Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, has been CANCELLED due to concerns over the pandemic.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Santa Claus is Coming to Town AGAIN!
6-8 pm, The Sanctuary Coffee Shop
400 6th Street South, Oneonta (Hwy 231 S)
Children are invited to come see Santa Claus from 6-8 pm! Feel free to bring your own camera, smart phone, or other device to snap your own photos!
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Santa Claus is Coming to Town AGAIN!
6-8 pm, SwampTails Restaurant, 130 1st Ave. E.
Children are invited to come see Santa Claus from 6-9 pm! Feel free to bring your own camera, smart phone, or other device to snap your own photos!
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Santa Claus is Coming to Town AGAIN!
Oneonta Fire & Rescue Service Hits the Streets, 8 am to 6 pm
The Oneonta Fire & Rescue Service is honored to be helping Santa visit all the neighborhood children and deliver treats to both adults and children alike! Starting at 8:00 a.m., look for lights and listen for sirens. They will update their Facebook page throughout the day! Click here!
Questions?
For more information on the Festival of Lights activities, call 205-446-0462 or email christmas@oneontabusinessassociation.com
