Village should be tourist destination

The new holiday decorations along Main Street look great. But, why are there gaps, and why aren’t the trees lighted anymore?

Years ago, the Williamsville Businessmen’s Association took responsibility for lighting the trees along Main but found it too difficult to continue as the trees grew larger. A similar illusion could be created by lighting only the lower branches, but I think the village government should consider lighting the trees as a public service. The town has cherry pickers that could be utilized. After all, it is more than just businesses and village residents who benefit from the display. The entire community benefits.

Williamsville is such a charming village, and a lighted business district could be marketed as our own Festival of Lights. There is no reason why the Village can’t be a tourist destination such as Niagara On-The-Lake, though on a smaller scale.

The Hampton Inn, Holiday Motel and Lord Amherst offer enjoyable accommodations, and there are a number of excellent restaurants. There is even theater at Daemen College and Cafe-in-the-Square. Also, South’s holiday concert and the Amherst Symphony are always wonderful.

Perhaps the local Chamber of Commerce and/or a committee of volunteers could coordinate December’s events and create an advertising campaign to bring tourists into the village. Such a campaign could enlighten the public to view the Village of Williamsville as a travel and shopping destination, rather than just somewhere to drive through. And lighting the trees along Main Street would add to the celebratory atmosphere.

There is such potential in our quaint little village. It is, in many ways, a modern day Bedford Falls. This truly could have been the setting for “It’s A Wonderful Life,” if only Frank Capra would have found it.

Ellen W. Parisi

Williamsville