Tioga presses on in rain

It was a drizzly Christmas for Tioga on Saturday.

Despite the light showers, the city of Tioga held the full gambit on Gene Autry Drive complete with a parade, amusements, shops open late and live music.

“We said rain or shine and we meant it,” Economic Development Corporation Vice Chair Karen McGee said. “It’s drizzle, so nothing that an umbrella or hood can’t handle, and there was no threat of thunder or lightning. This is the kind of event you can’t just reschedule.”

Though the weather ap- peared to keep the crowd small, the lot grounds were still filled with laughter and merriment.

“It might have deterred some, but I think those who are here are having as much fun as they can,” McGee said. “Surprisingly, this parade was bigger than I’ve seen it in a long time.”

As a new addition to the event, a copse of trees straddled either side of the pavilion as part of a fundraiser from the Tioga Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

FCCLA officers Lacie Gray, Citlaly Zuniga and Emily Ballinger explained the idea came from a town in Colorado.

“They were raising money for lots of different things, and we had the idea to do it and raise money for the TYSA program,” Gray said. “It’s for students that come from low-income families, or families with tons of siblings that can’t get all of their kids in sports. We raised enough money for three students to be fully registered.”

The group further praised Paula Byler, who helped them gather the trees, which local businesses, organizations and families then decorated either to promote themselves or honor a loved one.

“I advertised and posted on Facebook and sent it all to Mrs. Ballinger,” Byler said. “When you look at the flyer, it’s neat, but it’s nothing like when you walk down here and see all these trees.”

Byler found a surprise when walking through the display she helped create.

“I live in Tioga, grew up here, so I come to this every year,” Byler said. “My daughter said, ‘Oh, we should go look at the trees,’ and I saw that this one is all pink for breast cancer. It made me cry.”

Garra Ballinger explained the program has room to grow moving forward and praised her students for making it happen.

“Our goal was 10, and they just kept coming in,” Garra said. “We already have five more trees if we want to expand next year. That’s what the basis of the FCCLA program is. We have a lot of extracurricular activities at the school, but the FCCLA program is not for the benefit of the kid, they’re doing it to benefit the community. It’s all for giving.”

One young lady, Kinsler McKelva, was particularly happy the event weathered the storm as she manned her booth, Peace and Bracelets.

“I’m trying to make money to get my business bigger, and since Tioga struggles with money, I’m also donating some of that for the high school,” McKelva said. “I love Tioga. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”