HOLIDAY FESTIVAL HERE TO STAY

Lugene Heimel photos A special artisan was a big attraction at Coudersport's second annual O Little Town Christmas Festival. Over the course of two hours, he used a chain saw to convert ice blocks into a nativity scene that remains on display near the entrance of the Potter County Courthouse. Elsewhere on the courthouse square, children enjoyed crafts and games in a heated tent while musicians performed at the gazebo. A tree decorating contest produced some impressive entries which now line the perimeter of the square, giving the town a festive appearance. Organizers said O Little Town will return in 2008.

Organizers of the O Little Town Christmas Festival in Coudersport termed Saturday's second annual observance a success.

Following in the footsteps of the town's traditional Victorian Christmas Festival, O Little Town had a strong focus on children. A volunteer committee pieced together several sponsors to organize the event for the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Things kicked off with a free movie at the Coudersport Theatre. Those attending were encouraged to bring a canned good for donation to the local food bank.

"We had more than 200 cans of food, as well as some financial donations, to donate to the food bank," said committee chair Susan Cochran.

Many children and adults who attended the movie joined Santa Claus for a walk up Main Street to the courthouse square, where a heated tent filled with children's activities proved to be a success.

Dozens of children enjoyed the free games and crafts. Outside the tent, musicians braved the elements to entertain from the gazebo.

A talented carver used a chainsaw to gradually transform rectangular ice blocks into a glittering Nativity scene over the course of about two hours. His work remains on display near the courthouse entrance.

"The feedback that we have received is that O Little Town was appreciated by those who attended and is an event that should continue," Cochran told Endeavor News. "The heated tent was a good addition, not only for the kids, but also as a place where adults could stop and warm up."

By lining up sponsors, the committee was able to offer cash prizes for some of the contests.

In the tree-decorating contest, a holdover from the Victorian Christmas tradition, first prizes for each category went to the Goodwin family, Girl Scout Troup 778 and the Red Hat Society of Roulette.

Second prize winners were determined by popular vote as follows: Kevin and Maureen Cracknell family (prize donated to the local recycling center), Webelos Scouts and Second Street Roost.

Decorated trees line the perimeter of the courthouse square, giving the town a festive appearance, especially at night, when they're complemented by strips of red lights adorning the perimeters of dowtown buildings.

O Little Town also included contests for local students, with the winners as follows:

Drawing: Elizabeth Smoulder, first; Alison Wright, second; Thomas Powell, third.

3-D: Ethan McKeone, first; Bethany Schoonover, second; Taylor Schoonover, third.

Writing: Emily Morey, first; Bethany Raynes, second; Miranda Bova, third.

Winners are asked to pick up their prizes at Avant-Garde Design on North Main Street in Coudersport.