Batavia's Celebration of Lights on Sunday

The Christmas season officially begins in Batavia on Sunday with the city's Celebration of Lights festival.

It will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Batavia Riverwalk.

Festivities include hayrides, a visit from Santa and a walk along "Christmas Tree Lane," 25 decorated trees from local groups.

The hayrides are a fundraiser for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry, and the cost is either $1 or a food donation.

A community sing-a-long will be at 5:45 p.m.

Santa will arrive at 6 p.m., and Mayor Jeff Schielke will light the city tree. Children under 10 can get a holiday gift in the Peg Bond Center while supplies last.

Free parking is available to the north of City Hall at 100 N. Island Ave.

The Batavia Library will host a story hour from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Batavia Depot Museum.

The event is hosted by the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Police Department and the City of Batavia.

City budget on display: If you want to see what the city is spending your money on next year, the city's 2008 proposed budget is available on the city's Web site.

The proposed budget is linked on the city's front page at www.cityofbatavia.net. The City Council will take comments from the public on the budget at a hearing at 7:35 p.m. tonight at City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave.

175 years: Batavia will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2008. Smaller versions of the flags downtown commemorating the milestone are for sale.

The red and gold 3' by 5' flags are $55 and the 12" by 18" garden flags are $25. They are available on Batavia MainStreet's Web site, www.downtownbatavia.com, by clicking the "Shop MainStreet" icon.

New board members: The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence recently appointed three new board members.

Dan O'Brien, Joanne Spitz and Mim Zeddes were selected for the volunteer board for 3-year terms.

The group awards grants to Batavia teachers for programs and classroom activities. Last year the foundation awarded $28,000 in grants.