There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in Plain City, highlighted by the annual Route 42 Holiday Hop and Christmas Under the Clock celebrations on Saturday.
The day begins with the Holiday Hop from 9 a.m. to noon, when a variety of local businesses will offer special holiday discounts, giveaways and activities.
Santa will spend the morning at Ace Hardware with donuts, coffee and hot chocolate.
Christmas Under the Clock will be held from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, featuring pictures with Santa, live music performances, food trucks, carriage rides and live reindeer. Those in attendance can also get their holiday gift shopping done at a variety of local businesses and craft vendors.
Mayor Jody Carney said the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place around 5 p.m., depending on when the sun goes down.
Children from the village selected as winners of a coloring contest will have the honor of serving as the “Christmas Pixies” who light the tree.
The 2023 Pixies include Andrew Dobbelaere, Barrett Wentz, McKinley Robinson, Parker Christman, Cass Labianca, Hadley Gillespie, Sawyer Prather and Kara Dyar.
Santa’s parade will follow Christmas Under the Clock, from 7-8 p.m.
The parade will depart from Bicentennial Park, travel north on South Chillicothe Street before turning on East First Avenue then traveling south on Shepper Avenue. Santa will turn onto Church Street from West Main Street before moving from Bigelow Avenue onto South Chillicothe Street.
The parade will travel south before going through the Darby Fields, Carriage Estates, Copperfield, The Meadows and Madison Meadows neighborhoods.
Santa will then travel north on South Jefferson Avenue before taking West Main Street back to Bicentennial Park.
Residents can stay in the holiday spirit with the lights at Pastime Park, which will be up until January 1.
The drive-thru display features thousands of lights and holiday characters. New for 2023, the light show is synced to holiday music for those who tune their radios to 89.5 FM.
Residents and businesses can also compete in the holiday decorating contest, with entries due by Friday, Dec. 8.
Those who would like to enter should call the village at (614) 873-3527, ext. 106 and provide their name or business name, address and phone number.
Homes and businesses will be split into different categories with the first place winner in each receiving $150, second place winning $100 and third place taking $50.
Judging will take place the week of Dec. 11 and winners will be announced on Dec. 15.
Children throughout the village are also invited to send their letters to Santa Claus.
A special mailbox will be set up in Bicentennial Park. Every child who drops their letter in the mailbox by Dec. 15 will receive a magical response straight from the North Pole. No postage is needed for Santa’s mailbox.
Mayor Jody Carney also reminded residents of the many ways to give back during the holiday season.
“I look forward to seeing the efforts the community gives,” Carney said during the most recent council meeting.
Carly’s Third Annual Sock Drive will be held from Nov. 1 through Dec. 3.
In memory of Carly Fleming, who passed away in a car accident on Christmas Eve 2020, her family is honoring her compassing by collecting socks to provide to those experiencing homelessness.
Residents can donate new socks of any size to drop-off locations at Plain City Lanes, Hair Loft 120 and Main Street Nails. The socks will be delivered to The Open Shelter to help those in need.
Santa for Seniors is also helping spread holiday cheer to the older adults in the community.
Suggested donations include body lotion, tissues, hand soap, non-slip fuzzy socks, blank note cards, individually-wrapped candies, lip balm, blankets, crossword puzzle books, coloring books and stamps. The items will be compiled into gift baskets intended to share joy with seniors.
Donations can be dropped off at the Plain City Municipal Building or 55 Doe Street and are due by Dec. 20. Those with questions should contact Amy Dobbelaere at santa4seniorspc@gmail.com
The Municipal Building will also be a drop-off location for Santa Danny for Dogs, a dog toy drive started by local student, Daniel Hensley, who was motivated to help dogs at local shelters that will not spend the holiday with families.
The DNA Community Center is also accepting toys, food donations and monetary gifts to help those in need within the Plain City Community.
Those who would like to contribute or learn more may contact the nonprofit organization at (614) 264-5591.