A look inside the city Christmas Tree
Marysville’s Partners Park is starting to look like Christmas. Workers spent Monday morning erecting the city’s Christmas Tree. The crew was waiting for a bucket truck to put the tip on the hollow tree top. The tree, more than 32 feet tall, will be lit at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29 as part of the city’s annual Christmas Walk celebration. The Christmas Walk will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and will feature, in addition to the tree, Santa’s first visit to his house, also in Partners Park. Above, Brandon Moore works to adjust the tree’s foliage from the inside as Mike Prior secures the ladder as he climbs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
Communities around Union County are pleased that holiday celebrations are returning to normal.
“It is nice to have everything back again,” said Amanda Morris, recreation and event manager for Marysville. “I think the whole world is ready to get back to normal and celebrate the holidays.”
Marysville will kickoff the holiday season with the annual Christmas Walk and tree lighting, from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The event will feature children’s activities, carriage rides, dancers, carolers, festive treats and shopping discounts.
The highlight of the event will be the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree at 6 p.m. at Partners Park.
Santa will also make his first appearance of the season.
“We will do our best to monitor and keep everyone socially distanced, but at the same time it is an outside event so hopefully that will help mitigate some concerns,” Morris said. “Right now, we don’t have any COVID restrictions in place.”
She encouraged visitors to “use their best judgement.”
In addition to hosting hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Santa will be at his house until Christmas each Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and different hours each Saturday, beginning Dec. 11.
Ice skating will also return to Partners Park, beginning Dec. 11.
The city’s iceless ice rink will be open that day through Jan. 2. Skating is free as are the skates. The rink is staffed by CPR/First Aid trained and background checked employees.
Morris said the Christmas Parade is planned for Sunday, Dec. 5.
She said planning for this year’s season “hasn’t been difficult.”
“Last year was difficult because it was different,” she said. “This year has felt normal.”
Morris did say the city has not planned anything new, choosing instead to “go back to the basics.”
Officials said the Uptown will be decorated, stores will be prepared and Christmas music will be playing.
“So even if people don’t want to come to the Christmas Walk or don’t feel comfortable, the Uptown is really beautiful every night and people can come and enjoy our environment,” Morris said. “They can come and it really is like their own Hallmark environment.”
After an altered celebration due to COVID-19 concerns in 2020, Plain City’s annual Christmas Under the Clock celebration will be in full swing this year.
The Saturday, Dec. 4 event will begin with a “Route 42 Holiday Hop” from 9 to 11 a.m. Children can visit Santa at Plain City Hardware and businesses along Route 42 will be hosting open houses.
Festivities will move to the Uptown area from 4 to 7 p.m.
During that time, twirlers, a bell choir, Plain City Community Singers and carolers will perform. Santa will also be present.
Along with craft and food vendors, local businesses will host open houses.
Wagon rides will also be available to view the lights at Pastime Park.
The Uptown ceremony is highlighted by the village’s tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Winners of the village coloring contest will serve at “pixies” who light up the tree on behalf of Santa.
At 7 p.m., Santa will begin his route through the village.
Plain City will continue spreading the holiday spirit after the Christmas Under the Clock celebration.
A drive-thru light show at Pastime Park will also be available throughout the holiday season, beginning Nov. 29.
The village is hosting a Christmas Home and Business Decorating Contest, as well.
Entries are due by Dec. 12 and judging will follow on Dec. 15. Winners will be announced via the village’s Facebook Live on Dec. 17.
Those interested in registering should call (614) 873-3527 ext. 106 and provide the home or business address and phone number.
First place for in each the home and business category will win $150; second place, $100 and third place, $50.
Prizes are also up for grabs in Jerome Township.
The township is hosting a homemade ornament competition for those 17 years of age and younger.
All ornaments will be displayed on the Christmas tree at the township hall, but the deadline to be entered in the contest is 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
Age group winners will be announced Dec. 10.
Ornaments must be handmade, at least two inches and no larger than eight inches and must include a loop or hook to be hung on the tree. Only one submission per child will be accepted.
The Village of Richwood is celebrating the holiday season this year with the theme of an “Everyday Hero Christmas.” The month of December has a full lineup with visits from Jolly Old Saint Nick and festive activities that are guaranteed to bring fun for the entire family.
Santa will be in the village on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 4-6 p.m. after the Christmas parade, on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 5-7 p.m. uptown, on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richwood Trail Lights and on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richwood Trail Lights.
The Richwood-North Union Public Library invites area businesses, organizations, community groups and individuals to help “light up the library” this holiday season by setting up a tree or other free-standing decoration.
The annual Community Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the library to browse the trees and decorations, complete a scavenger hunt, indulge in a festive snack and participate in the Richwood Civic Center’s raffle during the open house.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the trees during the library’s operating hours throughout December.
The Village of Richwood Council is seeking volunteers to hang lights in Richwood Park on Dec. 4 at 8 a.m.
The village will then host the annual Richwood Christmas Parade on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. The parade will begin and end at the park. The 2021 Grand Marshals are “everyday heroes,” including Veteran Gail DeGood-Guy, Richwood Police Department Chief Monte Asher, Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton, Northern Union County Fire Chief Randy Riffle, Health Commissioner Jason Orcena, the North Union Local School District cafeteria staff and all first responders in the area. After the parade, the park will be lit about 6:30 p.m.
The village is also hosting a “Light the Trail” event on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 7-10 p.m. There will able be crafts for kids available and displays along the trail. Council members also ask residents to lend generators for the festivities on Dec. 11.
The Fulton Creek Evangelical Friends Church will host a special Christmas celebration, featuring a live nativity scene on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 from 6-8 p.m. Cookies, hot cocoa, coffee and hot cider will be provided for all who attend.
The Richwood Area Business Association (RABA) is hosting the annual poinsettia giveaway contest until Thursday, Dec. 9. Visit uptown businesses in Richwood and sign up for a chance to win a free poinsettia. Winners will be announced Dec. 9.
RABA is also sponsoring the annual house decorating contest in Richwood. Judging will take place Dec. 13-15.
The North Union Local Schools District will help bring the Christmas spirit through music. The middle school choir will perform a Christmas Cabaret on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Craft vendors, refreshments and pictures with Santa will be available for purchase at the concert.
North Union High School Band will perform a Christmas concert on Monday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at the high school.
The high school choir will host a holiday concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Senior choir members will be honored during the event.
The first and second graders at North Union Elementary School will host a Christmas concert on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the elementary school gym. The first graders will perform at 5:30 p.m., followed by the second graders at 6 p.m.
In partnership with Wreaths Across America, members of the Victor A. Hammond Civil Air Patrol will perform ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at the North Union Veterans Memorial in Richwood Park. Several volunteers will lay wreaths in memory of each branch of the U.S. military, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines and MIA/POW. To register to volunteer or to sponsor a wreath, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/18609?fbclid=IwAR14s0k-zfObPA2HD0WyCsUcT6xYhZrsGTAcSEFLXq8gK7R6HI7xSNPLu_0 .