Contributing Writer
Linda Kent
The first-ever celebration of Christmas in July is coming to Jamestown, New York. Festivities begin on Friday night, July 22 with a fun night of baseball, fireworks, and special Christmas festivities at the Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park on Falconer Street in Jamestown.
Guest Star
Jamestown’s own Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League team, the hometown Tarp Skunks, will host a special event featuring US Paralympic Track Team runner, Jamestown’s Rayven Sample, at the game. As a special treat during the fourth inning Raven will lead a special run across the infield for the children at the ball park. A spectacular fireworks display will close out the night.
Color fun starts early Saturday morning with a Color Run featuring both 1 K and a 4 K distances. Registration starts at 8 am at the Northwest Arena with the race kicking off at 9 am. Ages 5 through 8 enter free. This promises to be a great, colorful event, both to run or watch.
For curling enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants to have fun trying this unique winter sport, a curling contest starts on the ice at noon at the Northwest Arena. The event will feature 12 4-person teams with a registration fee of $60 per team. Whether playing or watching, come see the teams slide their way to victory.
The Jamestown Farmers and Craft Market will also be open, as usual, on Saturday. But as a special feature the market will include pony rides for the children. On this Christmas in July day all proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots.
Christmas Shopping Spree
While visiting downtown, take time to look around the local shops. Stores have enthusiastically joined in the fun of decorating their stores for the holiday. Stroll the streets and enjoy their beautiful decorations without having to brave the cold and the snow. Watch the twinkling of the colorful lights. See the glimmer of the tinsel and garlands in the storefronts. Don’t miss the blow-up decorations and laugh at their antics. Have some holiday fun.
Who knows, maybe you can fit some Christmas shopping into the day. Better hurry. There are only 154 shopping days left!
Christmas Movie Night
Family fun on Saturday night begins at 6:30 featuring a special showing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on the big screens at the National Comedy Center. Bring your kids and neighbors, a blanket or chairs, gather around and enjoy a good laugh with your community.
And More
Immediately afterward, whether attending the movie or not, everyone is invited to take a stroll across the bridge behind the Comedy Center and enjoy the first-ever Christmas Village Parade on the opposite shore of the Chadakoin River behind the old Evans Skateland. The Harmony Express Quartet will offer a Christmas Carol serenade. Music, snacks, and fun things to do and see will be there for the whole family to mark the end of this first Christmas in July.
Created by the Rotary Club of Jamestown, this village will feature floats sponsored by local businesses such as Cummins, Aftercare Nursing, Ballgame Heroes. Victoria’s School of Dance, fresh from its performance at the National Championship will be performing as well as The Knights of the Enchanted Color Guard.
The Team
This first-time Christmas in July was organized by Collaborative Children’s Solutions and the City of Jamestown. Collaborative Children’s Solutions is a nonprofit founded in May 2021 by Patrick Smeraldo, his wife Jill and board member, Jim McElrath.
Inspired by his work and as a teacher and community-wide charitable work, Patrick learned that collaboration was key to getting things accomplished. His passion for the children and the Jamestown area was the driving force behind the founding the Collaborative Children’s Solutions.
Collaborative Children’s Solutions and the City of Jamestown would like to thank all the businesses and organizations who helped with Christmas in July. This event would not be possible without the cooperation and collaboration of everyone involved.
Your Invitation!
Jamestown Gazette readers are invited to come and enjoy Christmas in July 2022. This just might be the start to a fun new family tradition for our community. We wish Patrick, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, and his vision for our area, great success. Have fun everyone. Enjoy!
