This is the first year that the tree is being lit on the night before the big parade and some big plans are coming to life.
According to Mayor Mike Lowry, this year Main Street will be closed off for a couple of hours around Washington and Main to make it safer for families to enjoy this event.
Main Street will be filled with large inflatable characters including a 21-foot tall Frosty the Snowman, a 19-foot tall Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer that moves its head, Snoopy, and Santa. Live characters such as Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, and the Heritage of Flight Festival’s mascot Air Bear will also be on hand for photos.
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Community members are invited to bring a large ornament with their name on it and add it to the tree.
At least one choir will be on hand to add to the merriment and many of the downtown businesses will be open. Prizes will also be awarded for the Coloring Page Contest at the Tree Lighting.
Saturday morning starts off with Santa’s arrival at 9:30 a.m. at the Andy Barnhart Memorial Airport just east of New Carlisle on Route 571. Santa will be picked up by a fire truck and transported into New Carlisle where he will take part in the Santa Parade which begins at 10 a.m.
It may not be the Macy’s parade in New York City but it is getting closer. Those inflatables will add considerably to the parade fun. The Tecumseh band will be joined by participants in the annual Holiday Costume Contest.
Organizer Marshall Gorby was excited to announce that Build-A-Bear has donated prizes for this year’s costume winners.
A visit with Santa, cookies, costume awards, and a mini-concert are scheduled at the New Carlisle firehouse on Church Street after the parade.
“Just remember, it’s all free,” said Gorby. “Bring your cell phone and take pictures with the kids. No rush. Enjoy yourself.”
Admission is also free for the next event on the schedule at 1 p.m. The Grinch Who Saved Christmas sponsored by Family and Youth Initiatives, FYI, will be taking over the New Carlisle Elementary School for the festivities.
Activities and games will keep parents and children well entertained until 4 p.m. One of the fun things planned is a free gift shop where children can pick out free presents for their parents, and siblings. I love this idea. It’s so hard for kids to surprise parents and this makes it possible.
The big question of the day will be: Did they “Stuff the Bus”? Organizers have asked community members to bring a toy or two to donate for distribution to area children before Christmas. Will they be able to fill an entire bus with toys? This will be fun to see.
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Enon will light their Christmas tree Saturday evening at 6:45 p.m. at the Enon Community Historical Society’s (ECHS) Log Cabin right next to the Adena Mound and behind the village offices.
While families wait for the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus Christmas carols will be sung. Darryl Bauer will be master of ceremonies
The big question at this event is always “How will Santa Arrive this Year?”
Santa is a very creative individual and has surprised the community with his mode of arrival for decades. It always is a good idea to bring a camera.
Once Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree they will retreat to their rockers of honor in front of the fireplace in the 1832 Log House. The line can be long to meet the jolly couple, but the reward is so worth it - a quiet private visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the opportunity to take lovely photos. This works really well. I love it.
The ECHS members will serve cookies with warm cider and hot cocoa prepared in copper kettles over an open fire. The Mike Barry Research Center will be open for the community to see displays and buy Enon based gifts.
Tis the Season. Enjoy!
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