The Christmas season will be underway Saturday in Plain City.
The village will celebrate Uptown Plain City Organization’s (UPCO’s) Christmas Under the Clock from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
UPCO officials have said the event is a “family friendly celebration of the holiday season that has something for everyone.”
“From pictures with Santa to craft items for sale to a ton of free food and hot drinks from the local businesses, Christmas Under the Clock will have you covered,” officials said in a press release.
The event is in its 17th year, and will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at the Clock Tower near Main and Chillicothe Streets and in the nearby village Flatiron at Bicentennial Park. Santa, carolers, musicians and the Starlight Twirlers will entertain those assembled. As it has for several years, the tree will be lit by UPCO’s Tree Lighting Pixies, winners of the group’s annual coloring contest.
New this year will be Cram the Cruiser, a toy drive initiative between Girl Scout Troop 4943 and the Plain City Police Department. The scouts and the police department will be at Plain City Service Center on West Main Street.
“This is a really great opportunity to partner with this troop, bring some attention to what they are doing and do something for the community,” said Sgt. Tom Jaskiewicz of the Plain City Police Department. “We love to do things to help the children in the community, but it really is the Girl Scout Troop that is doing all the work.”
Toys collected at the event will be given to Daily Needs Assistance (DNA) for distribution to families in need.
DNA, located at 340 W. Main St., will also host a craft show along with Plain City Church Fellowship’s interactive nativity scene.
Immediately following the tree lighting, a variety of activities will begin on Main Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Businesses around the village will host open houses with prize drawings, raffles, gift baskets, cookie decorating, games, kids’ crafts, snacks and a variety of activities.
“When you stop in at your first few open houses, be sure to pick up your map that shows the open houses and the activities and the entertainment provided by the businesses and organizations,” according to a release from UPCO. “Enjoy hot drinks and refreshments from the businesses and don’t forget to sign up to win each businesses’ prizes where applicable.”
Plain City Public Library will hold its annual book sale. A model train display will be set at the Plain City Historical Society.
At Lovejoy’s Plaza on Main Street, UPCO will offer ham and bean soup and there will be live entertainment, including ice sculpting.
Revelers can take a wagon ride from Lovejoy’s Plaza to and from Yoder’s True Value Hardware where Santa will be available for photos. Shuttles will move visitors among Jefferson Avenue businesses.
There will be no parking in much of the village Uptown, but officials said that shouldn’t be a problem. UPCO officials said visitors can park at either end of the festivities and get back to their cars by wagon or shuttle.
“Be sure to use the shuttles that will be moving visitors between the Jefferson Avenue businesses,” according to the release. “Park Uptown, take the wagons and shuttles and we’ll bring you back. Or do it all backwards. Either way, we’ll get you back to where you started.”
The evening will wrap up around 8 p.m.
Santa will also be at Pastime Park later in the month. The jolly elf will be in the park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14. He will be available for free pictures inside the Youth Building.
Live reindeer will be outside and the Jonathan Alder High School Show Choir will entertain those waiting to see Santa. The event will also feature coloring, crafts and snacks.
Participants are asked to bring and donate hats and pairs of mittens or gloves.