CANASTOTA — The fourth annual Canastota Parade of Lights is set to kick off the holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 26, with a host of events, capping off with the parade, tree lighting, and fireworks.

“We didn’t know what to expect when we organized the first Canastota Parade of Lights,” Lenox Town Clerk Charlene Barres said. “We were pleasingly surprised that first year when we had 30 people enter for the parade and it became a day of fun for the whole community.”

The schedule includes:

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Horse drawn wagon rides will start at Zem’s Ice Cream, Miniature Golf & Game Room at 124 W. Hickory St. in Canastota. Those wishing to ride, must donate a canned food item.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Meet and greet with Cinderella, Batman, and Mrs. Claus.
• Noon to 6 p.m. — Food will be served at the Canastota Fire Department.
• Noon to 6 p.m. — At the vendor building, there will be a holiday photo booth, a basket raffle, and the Toy for Tots drop off bin will be open.
• 2 p.m. — The Holiday Fun Run, both one or three miles, will begin. Prizes will be awarded for best group theme, most festive, and ugliest sweater.
• 2 to 5 p.m. — Kids arts and crafts and writing letters to Santa Claus at the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department.
• 3:30 p.m. — A scavenger hunt will begin in the vendor building and end in the Municipal Building.
• 4 p.m. — Kids games will be available at Community Bank and the Blues Brothers of CNY will perform at the Canastota Fire Department.
• 5 p.m. — The Happy Haggs Dance Troupe will perform at the corner of South Peterboro and East Center streets.
• 6 p.m. — The Parade of Lights will start at the corner of Robert and South Peterboro streets, traveling down South Peterboro Street and ending at the corner of South Peterboro and Railroad streets. Among parade participants is Downbeat Percussion, the official drum line for the Buffalo Bills football team. Following the parade, Santa Claus will arrive for the tree lighting.
• 8 p.m. — Fireworks at the Little League Field

There are still openings for the parade. Applicants are asked to visit the annual Canastota Holiday Parade of Lights Facebook page and message for further details. “Events like this community are important to give residents something to look forward to during the holidays,” Canastota Administrator Jeremy Ryan said.

Barres said she’s excited by the new expansions to the parade, going beyond just the Parade of Lights into an all-day event. “It gets bigger every year,” she said.

“First time I saw the parade, I thought it was phenomenal,” Lenox Supervisor John Pinard said. “It was well put together, and I think this year is going to be even better. Events like this bring back the old-time neighborhood celebrations where everyone got together, put tables in the streets, blocked off roads, and brought everyone together for the holidays.”

“It brings back that old hometown feeling,” he added.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064815005595.