Oswego’s Christmas Walk, a holiday tradition in the village, returned Friday night as thousands filled downtown after the pandemic canceled last year’s festivities.
“It fills my heart with joy to see so many people back out with one another,” Barb Tews, owner of the Marmalade Tree downtown, said.
Main Street was packed with people for a night of festivities including a tree lighting at Main and Jackson streets.
The Marmalade Tree boutique pulled out all the stops with 14 holiday trees this year.
“People are ready to get back into the holiday spirit,” Tews said.
The shop owner was relieved when the village announced the Christmas Walk would be held this year.
“The Christmas Walk is one of our biggest days of the year,” Tews said, adding the draw to the downtown helps out small businesses during the holiday season.
Leslie Elstner has been coming to the Oswego Christmas Walk for 26 years and recalled when the tree lighting was off of Main Street. Her daughter Carly Butler is now bringing her daughter Emersyn, 2.
“This is like our very own Hallmark movie,” Elstner said. “It’s amazing that I can now come with my granddaughter. This is the beginning of the Christmas season for us.”
Butler said she lived in California for a while but decided to return home to Oswego.
“My daughter has been coming (to the Christmas Walk) since she was a baby except last year when it was canceled. It’s nice that it’s back,” Butler said.
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Sarah and Dan Sartori along with their 18-month-old son Lucas strolled down Main Street during the fest. As music teachers working in the trenches during the pandemic for the past 22 months, the festivities brought back some sense of normalcy for the Oswego family.
“This is our son’s first Christmas Walk. It does make it feel as though things are back to normal,” Sarah Sartori said.
Brian Grojean recently moved his family from Aurora to Oswego.
“This is our first Christmas Walk in Oswego with our young children. It’s fantastic,” Grojean said. “We like the small town feel in Oswego.”
Erin and Stephen Jacek and their two boys Dominick, 1, and Jaxon, 7, were intrigued with the live reindeer on exhibit.
“This is our new Christmas tradition,” Erin Jacek said.
The couple recently moved to Oswego from Chicago.
“We love the change in pace and scenery,” she said.
Oswego residents Alison and Russell Gegenheimer were with their 11-month old son and 3-year old daughter at the Christmas Walk.
“It’s nice to be able to come back and see everybody supporting our local businesses,” Alison Gegenheimer said.
In addition to the Christmas Walk, the village decided to bring back the Holiday Drive-Through Dec. 10 at the newly- opened entertainment pavilion Venue 1012 at 1012 Station Drive.
The drive-through event from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. will feature music, illuminated holiday displays, Santa and more, organizers said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.