Although there will be no Living Windows this holiday season in
Bradford, there will still be a lot of cheer.

Instead of the annual Living Windows, several local merchant
groups are coming together for the first-ever, two-day Hometown
Holidays event this weekend.

Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane
Sheeley said Monday the two-day Hometown Holidays event is taking
the place of Living Windows – something she believes has not been
done before.

Sheeley said the weekend’s entertainment is a collaborative
effort between the East Bradford Business Association, the Bradford
Area Business Group, a division of the Chamber, and the Bradford
Area Small Business Association.

“It really pulls all the stores together along Main Street, from
Mechanic Street to Bolivar Drive,” she said.

In addition to the prize gift giveaways this weekend, there will
be horse-drawn carriage rides both nights, starting in front of
National City Bank. Several businesses went together to pay for the
carriage so area residents can take advantage of the rides for
free, Sheeley said. Those participating are Between Four Walls,
Movie Magic, Graham Florist, Bradford Pharmacy, Times Past. Bottorf
Kitchen and Bath and Bottorf Embroidery, as well as one anonymous
donor.

Sheeley said the Chamber is playing a “behind-the-scenes” roll
in the holiday celebration. She said they have been helping with
the human relations and communications aspect to arrange
activities, secured the permit for the event, and pays for the
lights and Christmas displays downtown and into East Bradford.

The nice thing about this year’s event, Sheeley said, is that
the celebration is going on over two days, and that there are many
more businesses and organizations involved this year.

Last year, there was a Christmas celebration, including Living
Windows, for a few hours on a Friday night, she said. There will be
no live window displays this year, she added.

However, there will still be a great deal of holiday-oriented
fun.

The Main Street storefront windows will be adorned with holiday
“murals” created by students of the Bradford Area School
District.

Also, Santa Claus will be on hand for photos Friday night at JD
Novelties on Main Street and Saturday near the Bradford Pharmacy.
WESB/WBRR Bradford Radio will conduct a live broadcast, and local
singers will perform Christmas carols. Student and service groups
will be selling refreshments along Main Street.

Saturday, The Hound radio’s holiday mascot, “Santa Paws,” will
be available to collect new toys to be distributed to children in
area hospitals. Musical entertainment will be provided by the
School Street Elementary School band, which will perform at the
gazebo on East Main Street.

The Bradford YMCA will host a breakfast with Santa starting at 9
a.m. Saturday. Twenty children will get to have breakfast with
Santa and receive a gift and a photo.

City parking is free through the holidays.