Riverwalk Christmas Family Night

The Riverwalk Christmas Family Night has become a very popular Holiday event for the area. Like the Halloween event, this event began approximately eleven years ago as an idea for a onetime event to celebrate the holiday and attract some additional shoppers to the Plaza. That very first year attracted some 300 to 400 children. It is held every year on the second Thursday of December from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Last year’s event was held Thursday December 10, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The Event included special Holiday Music performed by the Wellsville High School Select Ensemble as it has for the last several years. They performed inside Kmart near Little Caesars. Special Christmas Sales by most Plaza Stores and a visit to the Plaza from Mr. And Mrs. Santa Clause rounded out the special night's events. Due to the severe wind chill conditions, the Hayrides were cancelled and Mr. and Mrs. Clause greeted the children for the first hour at Kmart and for the second hour in the former Kubota Store where a special Holiday Model Railroad and Model Airplane Show was run on Thursdays from 5 to 9 PM and Saturdays from 11 to 5 PM and Sundays from Noon to 5 PM during the Christmas Season this year. A Big Thank You to the WASP and Twin Tier N-Trak groups for setting up their displays and manning them.

Plaza personnel normally provide hayrides for kids and adults alike. In December 2008 we set a new record, providing hayrides for approximately 650 kids and their parents in a single evening. The unique concept to having both Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause on board the hayride is that many young children who may be intimidated by Santa and his beard will readily go to Mrs. Santa Clause. We always urge Moms and Dads to have the kids bring their letters to Santa with them for personal delivery. Mr. and Mrs. Clause even have Christmas treats to hand out to the kids. And there is always time for photo opportunities, so we also urge the parents to bring their cameras. Check out our event photo gallery for some great pictures of the night's activities from 2009!

It is just another example of how Riverwalk Plaza is not just a shopping destination. We strive to be a focal point of family oriented events for the whole community! Great activities, great scenery, great dining, and great shopping!