By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Donna Klavon-Hajek, formerly of Geneseo, who now lives in Lake City, FL., will be the Grand Marshal of the 2022 Geneseo Christmas Walk Lighted Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10, beginning at 5 p.m.

Klavon-Hajek is well-known in the area for her knowledge and collection of vintage clothing.

The 2022 Christmas Walk theme is Victorian Walk Throwback and Hajek’s attire for the parade will be a perfect complement to the theme.

Klavon-Hajek has presented her “Second Hand Rose” program at various locations in this area and she has collected vintage clothes and accessories for the last 35 years.

The annual Walk is sponsored each year by the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, and Zack Sullivan, executive director of the Chamber, said the Victorian Walk Throwback is a theme that pays homage to the origin of the Christmas Walk…”Many people think fondly of the Victorian Walk era and after 15 years, we thought it would be fun to do a throwback theme to celebrate the history of one of Geneseo’s favorite community events.”

Klavon-Hajek is a longtime provider of Victorian costumes and outfits during the Victorian Walk era, and was an integral part of presenting the Victorian Walk event. As storefronts prepared for the big event, she served as the go-to person for any Victorian era clothing and costumes for the Living Windows.

Sullivan said, “The Geneseo Christmas Walk Committee selected Donna Klavon-Hajek to serve as Grand Marshal as a way to thank her for her many years of service and dedication to Geneseo and to the Victorian Walk event. When the theme of ‘Victorian Walk Throwback’ was decided on, Donna came up as a fantastic choice for Grand Marshal. I couldn’t agree more.”

Sullivan recalled that Klavon-Hajek helped to dress him for the Victorian Walk Living Windows when he was participating in the windows as a youngster in the 1990’s…”The Geneseo Chamber is grateful to Donna for her contribution to Geneseo and this is a small way to say thank you.”

Klavon-Hajek has invited Melody Clementz to join her in the Christmas Walk Lighted Parade. Clementz and her husband, the late Jerry Clementz, provided horse and buggy rides at previous Geneseo Christmas Walks for 20 years.