Despite a continued increase in coronavirus cases in Oneida County, some still found a way to get into the holiday spirit this weekend.

Hundreds participated in the 4^th annual Utica Ugly Sweater 5K in New York Mills, an event that took place amidst a record surge of COVID-19 in the county.

"I'm a retired health care worker so yeah, I am concerned about that, but we practiced social distancing, we wore masks most of the way of the race, and now everybody's wearing a mask and things like that," said Kevin Hoehn.

Runners were also separated in waves up to 50, with the event capped at 300 participants.

"They're very conscientious about complying with the guidelines with the race, so that allayed my fears," says Hoehn.

Racers got into the holiday spirit with their favorite ugly sweater, while also connecting with a running community that’s been mostly virtual this year.

"To keeping up and then seeing the racing friends that you see all the time, as opposed to a virtual, and you see them on a leaderboard somewhere, to see them face-to-face and have that friendly competition, yet the camaraderie between us," Lydia Dillon said. 

Sunday afternoon in Utica, another festive occasion forced to adapt to the circumstances.

"Normally every year, we have a holiday party that we have at a local hotel banquet room, and we have around 300 people present at that every year," said Mary Radel, president of the 21 Club of Central New York.

But this year, the organization held a drive-thru Santa event, giving neighbors with Down Syndrome a chance to see and take pictures with Santa from a safe distance.

"We have a lot of younger members in our group, but we also have adults and teenagers, and everybody is equally as excited to see Santa, and they get so excited for the holiday season to come," Radel says.