(Posted Nov. 21, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Prepare to be jolly as the Downtown London Association (DLA) presents its annual Olde Fashioned Christmas 4:30-9 p.m. Nov. 26 on and around Main Street in Downtown London.
Two parades kick off the evening, starting with a pet parade at 4:30 p.m. from the State Theater, 67 S. Main St., to the Dwyer Chiropractic parking lot, 139 S. Main St. Participants are asked to dress up their pets in holiday attire. Ribbons will go to all participants. Trophies will go to the winners.
The second parade, set for 5 p.m. on the other end of Main Street, features Santa. The Madison-Plains High School marching band will lead the way, followed by Santa on a London Fire Department engine and several other area first responder vehicles. The parade will start at Cowling Park and stop at First Street.
For the rest of the evening, Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes next to the live reindeer display in the McDonald’s side parking lot off of Main Street, just north of High Street. In case of bad weather, he will move inside to nearby Trinity Episcopal Church, 10 E. Fourth St.
At 6 p.m., the DLA will pay tribute to veterans in a ceremony at the veterans monument on the Madison County Courthouse lawn. A uniformed serviceman will read the names of all deceased veterans from Madison County who served in war from the Korean War forward. Additionally, anyone is welcome to pay tribute to a veteran by writing the veteran’s name on a ribbon to be placed on a tree set up next to the monument. The ribbons will be available at the site for the remainder of the holiday season.
Throughout the evening, horse-drawn wagon rides will run between Cowling Park and First Street, the Music Men barbershop quartet will stroll the streets, performing a variety of tunes, and costumed characters will hand out candy. A special backdrop for free photo ops will be set up outside Fine Designs & Interiors, 11 S. Main St.; bring your own camera or camera phone.
A wreath auction will take place in the parking lot at Huntington Bank, 2 E. High St. Participants will place bids in sealed boxes. The wreaths, all decorated in Christmas themes, will go to the highest bidders.
Businesses and other organizations in the downtown area will host open houses and activities and offer refreshments. The DLA has created a streetscape map that shows which locations are participating and in what ways. Free copies of the maps can be found in downtown retail businesses.
“Olde Fashioned Christmas gives people a chance to meet friends downtown. It’s fun, entertaining and enjoyable,” said DLA member Jack Starr. “Plus it’s a chance to show people that the downtown is growing and rejuvenating.”
