About IlluminoCity

Vision

ILLUMINOCITY will become a highly recognized annual attraction during the holiday season that serves as an important economic driver for Schenectady. Businesses will benefit from increased customer activity throughout the month-long celebration, and not-for-profit organizations will receive recognition and funding support towards their mission. Participation by businesses, not-for-profits, and the public will continue to grow year after year, resulting in a long-established tradition or “Season of ILLUMINOCITY” that creates ongoing pride in our community.

Meet the people behind IlluminoCity!

  • Heather Peterson

    Heather is a founding partner of Peterson Campoli and Associates CPAs in Downtown Schenectady. She has been working and playing in downtown for 30 years and serves on boards and committees that strive to make our downtown the one to set the standard.

  • Gary McCarthy

    The Mayor of Schenectady and the one who came up with the idea of IlluminoCity.

  • Carney McGuire

    Carney is a Positive Disruptor who questions the same old, and is always looking for new ideas and solutions. She is an avid gardener, golf enthusiast, rescue dog lover, family travel planner, food/wine/ brews adventurer and a happy explorer of all things Schenectady!

  • Ray Legere

    Ray Legere is a community volunteer who also owns a business called, “Armory Studios NY.”

  • Richard Lovrich

    Richard Lovrich is a Creative Director for STUDIO LOVRICH. He is also the author of a book called, “HAVE A VERY BAD DAY“ and is also the one who created the IlluminoCity Logo!

  • Jim Salengo

    Jim Salengo is executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC). The nonprofit organization provides a variety of supplemental services for downtown property owners and businesses, including daily sidewalk cleaning, seasonal decorations, communications, special events and promotions.

  • Andrea Cortelyou

    Andrea is a Property Manager and Real Estate Accountant. She takes great pride in her Schenectady properties! Andrea loves to bike, camp, hike and ski with her husband Dan and son Matthew.

  • Tracy Paige

    Tracy Paige has worked in marketing and advertising since 1987. Her career with the Daily Gazette has spanned over 17 years and is well versed in print and all forms of digital marketing. She has worked for many years with many different not for profit organizations with assistance in raising awareness of the organizations she has given her heart to. She is currently working on becoming a Volunteer Firefighter for her local fire department.

  • Michelle Davis

    Michelle is a lifetime resident of Schenectady who lives and works downtown and has a lot of Schenectady pride. During the day she is the Branch Manager of Pioneer and loves to run, bike, lift weights and talk about nutrition in her free time.

  • Haley Viccaro

    Haley Viccaro works for the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation as Strategic Communications Director for Climate. Previously, Haley held leadership roles in communications for Governor Hochul, former Governor Cuomo, and then-Lieutenant Governor Hochul. Before that she was a reporter at the Daily Gazette of Schenectady. Haley lives in the City of Schenectady and serves as Board Chair of Schenectady Greenmarket, among other volunteer board and community roles.

  • Selena Dwarka

    Selena is an intern at IlluminoCity and has brought her skills and creative talent to the table.

  • Theresa Walker

    Theresa is recently retired from the State University of New York. She looks forward to all the freedom and surprises that retired life will offer, such as joining a committee to help bring holiday cheer to downtown Schenectady.

Some of our testimonies!

  • "I was very happy to be able to provide for a good cause."

    -Dawn Taylor from Wedgeway Barber Shop

  • "We were very glad that all that hard work paid off and that our non-profit partner benefited financially to help their mission."

    - Amanda Magnetta from Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery

  • "We are very excited to get involved again. We hope that the buzz created last year brings even more businesses and non-profits together this year."

    - Kerrie Wolf-Piechota from Habitat Restore Schenectady

  • "We love being involved in our community and being part of great events like these that bring groups together and highlight our community pride and all the great work that we all do regularly in the city."

    - Haley Viccaro from Schenectady Greenmarket

  • "I became involved because I loved the mission of Illuminocity. I think it is very important everyone in the community works together. Unity makes a community strong and flourish."

    - Michelle Davis from PioneerNY

  • "It’s nice to get acknowledged for the work. AND it was for a good cause!"

    - Tim Wells From Electric City Apartments

  • "It was really fun and I think people enjoyed it."

    - Eric Ekler from Jay Street Collective

What We’ve Achieved:

  • Lighting up businesses and buildings in downtown Schenectady for the holiday season

  • Promoting participating host businesses and not-for-profits in Schenectady

  • Bringing the community together and instilling community pride and spirit

  • Rewarding sponsors of IlluminoCity with unique and valuable offerings

  • Supporting not-for-profits with prize money to fund and advance their missions

  • Helping to manage events, including the Schenectady Holiday Parade

  • Testimonials from satisfied businesses and not-for-profits

  • And more!