Batavia group seeks lights, volunteers for Yule decor

Once you're through stringing the Christmas lights on your house, perhaps you could lend a hand to lighting up downtown Batavia.

The city cut much of its spending for decorations this year, including many of the wreaths, bows and lighted Christmas trees that adorned the 75 or so streetlight poles in the downtown district. The reduction was made in an effort to trim the city's budget deficit.

Fearing a paucity of decorations would make the district seem dreary, Batavia MainStreet, the nonprofit group that promotes commerce for the downtown, stepped in with a plan to make sure the district looks cheery.

Business owners are being asked to string white lights in their windows, and to decorate their windows for the season.

If they need help, volunteers will be available Nov. 28, during the first "Light UP the DOWNtown" decorating day.

Volunteers will work from 9:30 a.m. to noon decorating storefronts and landscaping. Groups planning to help are asked to call MainStreet at (630) 761-3528, or send an e-mail to britta@downtownbatavia.com, for planning purposes.

MainStreet is also seeking donations of white lights (small bulbs). They may be dropped off at the MainStreet office, 41/2 W. Wilson St. The office is under Reel Pro Video; take the exterior stairs down to the river level, and enter by the green canopy. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Because it has a small staff, and they may be out of the office from time to time, call before visiting.

The office is also a drop site for the Batavia ACCESS toy drive.

For more information about upcoming holiday promotions and events, visit the Batavia MainStreet Web site at downtownbatavia.com.