Pancio Family Continues Heartfelt Tradition
Pancio Family Continues Heartfelt Tradition
This Saturday in Olean, Santa on the Roof.
OLEAN - In what was once an Olean tradition, Santa Claus would make a special visit to town to greet children and share his wisdom. Santa on the Rooftop, which began humbly in the 1960s on the roof of George Pancio’s Main Street house, would come to draw hundreds of children annually on a night just before Christmas.
Dr. Steve Pancio in 2022 hosted Santa on the Rooftop on his house on Main Street to crowds of families. Dr. Pancio is the grandson of the original Santa on the Rooftop host George Pancio.
On Saturday, December 23rd, Santa and a few of his friends will appear on the roof of 660 Main Street from 6:30-7:30pm.
“Come enjoy an interactive experience with Santa Claus with special appearances by the Grinch and Rudolph,” stated Dr. Pancio. Families are free to come and go as they please. Hot cocoa will be provided.
George Pancio, a retired Olean school district administrator, began the tradition while serving as one of the most popular Santa portrayals in the world. He stood in for Santa for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 11 years, as well as portraying Santa locally and nationally.
Mr. Pancio and his wife Marcia played Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the roof of their Main Street home from the 1970s until 1995. He also served as Santa for the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Lane parade for decades. The tradition of playing Santa was inherited by their son, Steve Pancio, who continues being the jolly ole elf at Olean area functions. Dr. Pancio, grandson, also has the Santa bug and is crafting his appearance as grinch with aspirations of taking over the reins of the head elf.
Mr. Pancio passed away January 20, 2023. During this year’s Santa Claus Lane parade, George Pancio’s family was this year’s grand marshal.
For those coming to the event, parking is available surrounding Santa’s rooftop on the street. Parking in the school parking lot on Oviatt Street along with the lot off of Hamilton Ave is available. Hamilton Street will be closed to local traffic only and access to the lot, due to the proximity of the street to the house as well as the expected crowds that will surround the lawn and sidewalks. For more information or questions, please call the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 716-372-4433 or email info@oleanny.com.