Santa Claus Lane
Forty-five units and more than 950 adults and children took part in the 22nd Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held on Friday, November 23 in downtown Olean. Judging for this season’s parade was done by Al Wager, National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Jennifer Forney, Microtel Inn & Suites of Olean; and Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean.
The Elves Award, sponsored by Premo Limo Service, a float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; went to IVERS J. NORTON ELEMENTARY. Angelic Spirit Award, sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, awarded to HARVEST FIELD OUTREACH CENTER as the most spiritual/religious float or unit. Blitzen Award, sponsored by the Times Herald, went to BOLIVAR RICHBURG BROWNIE GIRL SCOUT as the most photogenic float or unit; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Brookside Community Center, the best theatrical (music/dance) float was awarded to NOT SO COUNTRY LINE DANCERS; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by BJ’s Wholesale Club and National Grid Co., for the float with the most or best use of lights was awarded to ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN KUSTOM TOWING AND RECOVERY; The Seasons Greetings Award, sponsored by JCC-Olean Campus Alumni Association, to the best newcomer to the parade, and one that typifies a welcoming theme - this unit must be a first-time entrant went to PORTVILLE BUNNIE TAILS; and The Snowflake Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn & Suites of Olean, for the unit with the most participants in the parade was awarded to CUB SCOUT PACK 617.
John Sayegh, GOACC’s Chief Operating Officer stated, “The 22nd Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade had GREAT attendance -- people lined up on both sides of the street, plus the weather was cold with big snowflakes. The greater Olean area is a well-diversified community and as such, people from all walks of life and religion attended the parade to celebrate the gifts and graces of the holiday seasons. It is truly a night when the community comes together.”
As the finishing touches are put on this year’s events, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce has already begun planning next year’s event which will be held Friday, November 28, 2008.
NEW DECORATIONS -- 
The Santa Claus Lane committee has continued to expand lighting with cone trees at War Veterans Park. They make a nicely lit east entryway to downtown Olean. These trees (materials) were purchased and then created by students at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES. This year, garlands and lights will be hung from the poles on the Main Street Bridge. Mazza Sheet Metal donated time and materials to build the brackets needed to hold the garland to the poles. You will be able to see them as you enter the City from Route 16. New to the decorations this year are four cone holiday trees. The trees were designed and built by Mark Weber, an Olean High Student enrolled in the Career Foundations program at the Cattaraugus Allegany BOCES. Mr. Sayegh added, “It’s great having a school such as BOCES have students help decorate the parks for the holidays. The students get experience with product design, concept and then implementation. They get to see their project through to the end.”
SPONSORS -- Santa Claus Lane is sponsored by City of Olean, National Grid. Co., Home Depot, Stroehmann’s Bakeries, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Mazza Sheet Metal, Duggan & Duggan, and GOACC’s 41 Corporate Sponsors.
RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUS LANE
2008 Santa Claus Lane Parade Application
| Santa Claus Lane Ornament 2007 | |
| Decorating Day | |
| Behind The Scenes of Santa Claus Lane | |
| History of Santa Claus Lane - Olean | |
| House Lighting Contest | |
| Holiday Essay Contest |