EATON —Holiday events are ready to kick in to high gear this weekend, with special festivals and activities scheduled across the area Saturday and Sunday.
Kids for Kids
Santa is once again going to need help in Preble County again this year.
The Register-Herald’s 14th Annual Kids for Kids Open House and Toy Drive aims to help make the jolly old elf’s job a little easier in tough economic times. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-noon, in Santa’s Cabin, at Fort St. Clair in Eaton.
Bring a new toy to help Santa out.
Families can enjoy refreshments and children can have their photo taken with Santa. Make sure and bring your letter for Santa, or write one while you are visiting the cabin. Children will also be able to color their entries into the White Christmas Committee’s annual coloring contest, for a chance to win gift cards from area department stores.
All toys collected each year go to the Preble County Christmas for Kids Project, a community collaborative which serves Preble County families during the holiday season.
Over the course of the past 13 years, the Kids for Kids toy drive has collected nearly 11,000 toys for the initiative. Last year, over 700 were donated.
The Kids for Kids event was conceived as a “reverse” holiday tradition, allowing children to practice the art of giving in helping Santa help local families have Christmas toys under the tree each year.
Anyone interested in donating new toys can drop them off at Santa’s Cabin at Ft. St. Clair on Saturday, Dec. 3, during The Register-Herald’s Kids for Kids collection event, or drop off donations at The Register-Herald’s office, 532 North Barron St. (Junction Village) in Eaton.
Letters to Santa can also be mailed to The Register-Herald Office, c/o Eddie Mowen Jr., 532 N. Barron St., Eaton, OH 45320, or emailed to [email protected]. Deadline for letters will be Friday, Dec. 9.
Light-up Lewisburg
The 13th annual Christmas Light-Up Celebration in Lewisburg is planned for Sunday, Dec. 4, beginning with the Christmas parade to usher in Santa. The event will be held at Lewisburg Community Park on Tillman Lane, with the parade leaving from the firehouse.
Join Santa in the parade by arriving at the firehouse at 4:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 4:50 p.m., and arrive at the park at 5 p.m. There will be train rides for the kids, live music and refreshments throughout the evening. Hot dogs, cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
At 6 p.m., officials will light up the park, and over a mile of lights will welcome young old to the magic of the season.
The Christmas Light-Up Celebration is hosted by the TCN Community Association.
WA Christmas in the Village
West Alexandria’s Christmas in the Village begins with the annual craft bazaaer at the Third Street Gymnasium, on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 4, from 4-7 p.m., visitors can stop in at area businesses, enjoy the lighted parade, visit Santa Claus and enter to win door prizes.
The event is sponsored by the West Alexandria Celebration Committee. The committee raises funds to supply fireworks for July 4, as well as new toys for Santa Villa each year.
Oxford Holiday Festival
The annual Oxford Holiday Walk kicks off this year’s Holiday Festival in Oxford on Friday, Dec. 2. Many retail shops Uptown will host open houses specials from 5-8 p.m.
The fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 3 with the annual Holiday Festival. The day begins at the Oxford Community Arts Center at 9 a.m., where vendors will available for a craft fair until 4 p.m. From noon until 2 p.m., children can have their photo taken with Santa. Additionally, there will be special activities available for kids from 1-4 p.m. at the Kids Korner.
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., live reindeer will be visiting Uptown park. After meeting the reindeer, visitors can enjoy carriage rides throughout the decorated Oxford streets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Live performances will take place on the Uptown stage throughout the evening. At 6:30 p.m., Santa will make his grand entrance Uptown by fire truck. Children will have another opportunity for photos with Santa from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
