(Posted Nov. 29, 2017)
West Jefferson’s Christmas in the Park festivities are set for Dec. 8-10 in Garrette Park. The schedule is as follows:
Friday, Dec. 8
5 p.m. Concessions open
6 p.m. Opening ceremonies, Santa arrives and turns on the lights, live music by the West Jefferson High School jazz band and choir
6-9 p.m. Santa’s workshop, holiday games, carriage rides
6-9:30 p.m. Visit with Santa
11 p.m. Lights off
Saturday, Dec. 9
4:30 p.m. Parade line-up at American Legion
5 p.m. Concession opens
5:30 p.m. Parade of lights
6-9 p.m. Santa’s workshop, holiday games, carriage rides, entertainment
6-10 p.m. Visit with Santa
11 p.m. Lights off
Sunday, Dec. 10
5 p.m. Lights on
5-7:30 p.m. Entertainment
5-8 p.m. Concessions open, carriage rides
5-9 p.m. Visit with Santa
8 p.m. Home decorating contest winners announcement, children’s toy give-away (must be present to win)
11 p.m. Lights off
Monday, Dec. 11-Monday, Jan. 1
6-10 p.m. Lights on at the park!
Event Overview
Festooned with 400,000 twinkling lights, West Jefferson’s Garrette Park sparkles in the month of December–but not until Santa flips the switch.
The official lighting of the park, set for 6 p.m. Dec. 8, will signal the start of the 22nd Annual Christmas in the Park, a three-day celebration featuring carriage rides, a lighted parade, visits with Santa, musical entertainment, and more. Once the weekend festivities are over, the park will remain lit from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1.
Highlights of opening weekend include:
Parade of Lights
Anyone can participate in the parade of lights on Dec. 9. All entries should include lighting of some kind. Line-up starts at 4:30 p.m. in the American Legion parking lot, 9701 W. Broad St. The parade steps off at 5:30 and travels into West Jefferson, continuing on Main Street to South Twin Street, then left onto Fellows Avenue and right into Garrette Park.
To be considered for parade contest prizes, entrants must call (614) 879-8818 by Dec. 6 and leave a message with their name, address and phone number.
Pictures with Santa and Toy Giveaway
Santa will be available all weekend to hear children’s Christmas wishes in the Santa House and pose for photos. Bring your own camera and take as many photos as you like, or take advantage of the on-site photographer (first photo free, additional photos $3 each).
Skip the wait in line to see Santa by leaving your name and phone number at the Santa House when you arrive at the park. Organizers will send a text when it’s your turn to visit Santa.
On Dec. 10, event organizers will give tickets to children for the toy giveaway. Toy distribution will start at 8 p.m. Entrants (or their parents) must be present at the drawing to win.
Craft Station, Stories and Carriage Rides
Children are invited to visit the Gingerbread House to make a variety of crafts throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, from 6 to 9 p.m. each night, teachers from Norwood Elementary will read Christmas-themed stories in the Santa House. Teachers from the West Jefferson middle school and high school will man the horse and carriage ride station.
Home Decorating Contest
In conjunction with Christmas in the Park, the West Jefferson Community Association holds a home decorating contest. Residents of the village of West Jefferson and residents of Jefferson Township are eligible to enter.
Judging will take place Dec. 6-7. Entrants must leave their lights on from 6 to 10 p.m. both nights. To have your home judged, call (614) 879-8818 by noon on Dec. 6 and leave a message with your name, address and phone number.
Winners will be recognized at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Garrette Park. Prizes are $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Honorable mention prizes also will be awarded.
Directions to Garrette Park: Journey to West Jefferson via Route 40. Once in downtown, turn south on Walnut Street, which runs straight into the park
Parking: Parking is available on surrounding streets. One option is the field behind the park; to get there, continue south on Walnut Street which becomes Fellows Avenue, then look for the lot.
Website: www.wjchristmaspark.org
Contact information: Call Carol Beachy at (614) 879-9036 or stop by West Jefferson Hardware, 228 E. Main St.
Donations: Christmas in the Park is an all-volunteer organization. Donations help to offset the cost of replacement lights, electricity and other expenses. Make donations out to “Christmas in the Park” and mail to P.O. Box 262, West Jefferson, OH 43162.
