Many people have been asking about Christmas in Downtown. We will have a program available on Saturday that contains everything you need to know but we wanted to give you a sneak peak to help with your planning.
Kids of all ages enjoy Christmas in Downtown!
This year’s theme is “A Civil War Christmas” and the event is shaping up to be the best ever. Most events take place from 3-6 p.m. but we have a few things happening earlier. For example, the Shepherd’s House Chinese Auction opens at the Methodist Church at 11 a.m. and our Tour of Historic Churches is 1-3 p.m.
The Main Eatery will have Santa starting at 1 p.m. and the very exciting recreated nineteenth century blacksmith shop will be open at Gill’s Pharmacy from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. While you’re there, be sure to check out the great specials they have inside the store too.
We will have a bounce house this year, sponsored by First Settlement Physical Therapy and TWO wagon rides thanks to Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, the Eagles and the Main Eatery.
We will also have a McArthur BPW Cake Walk, cookie decorating for kids, Civil War style beans cooking outside and a petting zoo for the kiddos. If the weather is nice there will be pony rides too!
Throughout the afternoon we will have a representative from the Sherman House in Lancaster strolling downtown and greeting visitors as General William Tecumseh Sherman!
There will be a parade at 5:30 and Santa will visit with the kiddos at the Courthouse following the parade. Also, starting around 7 p.m. the library will show “A Christmas Carol” starring Jim Carrey. See their listing below for details.
John Hutchinson’s horsedrawn wagon rides have been one of the most popular attractions at Christmas in Downtown. Thanks to Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, the Eagles and the Main Eatery, we are able to have two wagons running this year. One will be located at the funeral home and the other at the United Methodist Church.
While you’re here, be sure to vote for the best decorated business, register for the $100 giveaway and visit our street vendors. We have people selling crafts and food and handing out literature. A lot of organizations rely on this day for fundraising so we hope you will help them out too.
More than anything, the Chamber of Commerce and all our sponsors want you to come and have a good time. We literally have something for everyone and you can have an enjoyable evening, even if you don’t have cash to spare because there are so many free activities.
Take a look at the list below and contact us if you have questions. When you arrive on Saturday, look for the program containing everything you need including the map, $100 giveaway ticket and decorating contest ballot.
If you are traveling a distance to attend our event, stop by the Chamber Office to enter our “Farthest Away” contest. Whoever travels the greatest distance will receive a $50 gas card sponsored by Zaleski Creations!
Visitors’ Center/Chamber Office – Refreshments provided by McArthur BPW. Detailed event programs and $100 drawing tickets available. Joy Dickerson will offer Holiday Instant Poems and Loraine Radune will offer hand painted slates and Christmas ornaments. $100 giveaway drawing at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by VC Juvenile/Probate Judge Bob Grillo and family.
Beulah Mae’s BBQ – Selling Beulah Mae’s bottled bbq sauce and meals.
McArthur Village Hall/Police Department – Drawing for $20 cash.
Remember When….Antiques and More – Door prize, special sale items and selection of Civil War artifacts.
Vinton County Courier– Refreshments. Drawing for a gift basket, subscription and OU tickets. Debbie West will offer Mary Kay Products. Salyer and Griffith, Attorneys at Law – Christmas carolers, $100 door prize, apple cider, eggnog and old fashioned cookies.
Vinton County National Bank – Inside – Gingerbread decorating for kids. Outside – Bible in VCHS Committee
Mama Renie’s Restaurant –Inside: 12” one item pizza for $5. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes. Outside: Just a Bite Buckeyes will sell buckeyes and cookies. Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival – Festival souvenirs and bake sale.
The Style Shop – Inside: Refreshments and door prize. Outside: “It Works Global” health and skin products.
Booth Real Estate and Insurance –Refreshments and door prize. Yoder’s Greenhouse– will sell poinsettias, Christmas wreaths and soap baskets.
Vinton County Development Department – Inside: Free refreshments. Graduates of the department’s small business class including: Zaleski Candleworks – handmade candles and crafts. Advanced Home Safety Services– Free safety info and drawing for a home safety gift basket including first aid supplies, smoke detector, etc. Maple Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation– Literature and basket giveaway Outside: Hot Rod Rog’s – Car display.
Percelli’s Pizza– Coupon for $1 off Italian Buffet. Coupon available at the Chamber Office. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes.
United Methodist Church – Tour of Historic Churches Participant Basement: Shepherd’s House Chinese Auction opens at 11. Drawings at 4 p.m. Outside: Free wagon rides begin and end here. Rides sponsored by the Eagles, Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home and the Main Eatery. First Settlement Physical Therapy-Bounce house, temporary tattoos for kids and a drawing.
Sheriff’s Office: Inside- Cookies and punch. Info on the Citizens’ Academy. Outside: VC EMS to pass out candy.
Vinton County Courthouse – Crane’s Crazy Corn – Kettlecorn. Cake Walk by McArthur BPW. Little Vikes Child Care – Cookie decorating for kids. Drawing for a girl’s and boy’s bike. Vinton County Health Dept. BEAP– will sell pink ornaments, shoelaces, bracelets and other BEAP items. McManis Photography : Free pictures with Christmas props on a stick. Tower of Refuge Church– distribution of new scarves, gloves and hats. Vinton County DD will sell ceramics and crafts. Caine’s Creations – fudge, lemon shake-ups, chips & dip and hot chocolate. Fudge platter raffle. Inside:Santa will visit with kids following parade. Santa’s candy sponsored by Mildred Kohn. Coloring contest pictures displayed (sponsored by First Settlement Physical Therapy)
Bright Star Satellite – Drawing for an 8-pack of energy smart flourescent bulbs.DVD sale at four for $5 and specials on video games.
Goodwill – Demonstrations by a Civil war era basket maker. Free punch and oranges. Outside: Miller’s Candies will sell handmade fudges, buckeyes and rice crispie logs.
Standard Hardware- Bob Rannells will sell crafts.
Mullins Pizza – Cheeseburger and small fries for $2.99. Pizza by the slice for $1.50. Free cookies. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes.
Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library –Inside: Friends Community Players will sing period Christmas music in historic costumes. Festival of Trees will be open. Following the parade, the library will show A CHRISTMAS CAROL, starring Jim Carrey, in the children’s department around 7 p.m. The Friends of the Library will sponsor refreshments. No child under the age of 12 should be left unattended. Parents should be ready to pick up children by 8:30 p.m. Outside: OSU Extension/4-H – Petting Zoo. Raccoon Valley Bean Cookers – Civil War style Beans cooked over a fire. The Thompson Family – Christmas goodies, ornaments and earrings.
First Christian Church – Tour of Historic Churches Participant.
Fee’s Used Cars – Popcorn and drinks. Para cord bracelets and key chains for sale. Drawing for a car care basket
Circle Pizza – 18” one item pizza for $9.99
Gill’s Pharmacy – Watch a blacksmith demonstrate his craft, enjoy a cup of Wassail and a donut. Drawing for a chance to win a holiday dinner or gift basket of store merchandise. Numerous sales. These offers available 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. only.
Super Valu Grocery – Five percent discount to anyone who mentions the “Christmas in Downtown special” and the deli will offer yummy specials 2 p.m. to close.
Subway – Get a 6” meatball sub or a 6” cold cut sub for just $2 each. Door Prize drawing for a snowman with a free 6” sub certificate. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes.
Vinton County Floral – Poinsettias and giveaways.
Bud’s One Stop – Drawing for a gift certificate, slice of pizza and drink for $1.99. Live Radio Remote sponsored by Subway of McArthur, Booth Real Estate and Insurance, Cross Creek General Store, Maple Hills Nursing Home, Vinton County National Bank, First Settlement Physical Therapy, R&C Quick Stop, Historic Host Vacation Rentals, Vinton County Health Department Home Health Agency and Advanced Home Safety
Services Vinton County National Bank Customer Service Center – The Commoner Journal– “Deck yourself contest” where the CJ will invite participants to decorate each other in garland/ornaments provided. The CJ will take pictures and post on their site later to vote for favorites. Integrated Services– Free 2013 calendar books, candy canes and info.
WesBanco – Inside: Treat bags for kids and bags with calendars to adults. Drawing for a Movie Night themed basket including a DVD player, movies, popcorn and throw. Linda Murphy will demonstrate cross stitch techniques and have a needle point display. Mort Kuntsler snow prints on display. Outside: Girl Scout Troop 2669 will offer handmade crafts and candles.
Dodrill Realty –Door prize and refreshments.
Eagles Outside– Vinton County Treasurer Vicki Maxwell-Free Reindeer food and Candy canes.
Melvin and Melissa Nickell – Antiques and crafts.
McClure’s – Soup and grilled cheese sandwich for $3.99 from 3 – 7 p.m. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes.
The Main Eatery– Hot chocolate, sugar cookies and candy canes for kids. Door prizes for kids of all ages. Santa will visit with everyone from 1 – 4 p.m. Several specials including $1 hot dogs and $2 footlongs. Free coloring book sponsored by Remy’s Mobile Homes.
Presbyterian Church– Tour of Historic Churches Participant
Trinity Episcopal Church – Tour of Historic Churches Participant
Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home– Inside: Remembrance tree to honor the deceased of 2012. Outside: Free wagon rides begin and end here. Rides sponsored by the Eagles, Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home and the Main Eatery. 4-H Junior Leaders: Hot chocolate.
Want more information? Contact us at 596-5033 or marketingdirector@vintoncounty.com