Emma Scalf goes over her Christmas list with Santa and Mrs. Claus during last year’s Christmas in the City in downtown Huntington. TAB file photo.
It's Santa season again, and that rosy figure of rotundity will soon be making his rounds of Huntington County.
The first sightings are expected this weekend, with Santa Claus scheduled to make an appearance in Warren on Friday evening, Nov. 25, and in Huntington on Saturday morning, Nov. 26.
Also in celebration of the season, the Christmas lights at Memorial Park in Huntington will be officially turned on for the holidays on Friday evening, Nov. 25, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will bring sounds of the season to Huntington North High School on Sunday, Nov. 27.
Here's where you want to be:
Winter Warrenland
Everything starts at 6 p.m., when the Warren Fire Department escorts Santa to the corner of Second and Wayne streets in downtown Warren. After a meet-and-greet session, Santa will oversee the lighting of the downtown area, including the Memorial Community Christmas Tree next to the Warren Town Hall.
The town Christmas tree, donated by Glenna Long, will be filled with white, red and yellow bows purchased in memory of deceased and living loved ones as well as those serving in the military.
At about 6:30 p.m., following the lighting ceremony, Santa will lead a short walk to the Knight-Bergman Center. Santa will spend the remainder of the evening listening to Christmas wishes. He will return to the KBC on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. to hear additional wishes. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be available.
Christmas lighting in downtown Warren is funded by the town of Warren and the Warren Area Chamber's annual sale of memorial bows for the community Christmas tree.
Christmas in the City
Santa Claus will arrive in the parking lot of St. Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson St., Huntington on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. to parade to the downtown area. A Marine HMVEE promoting the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program will take part in the parade, and Santa's elves will be walking alongside the HMVEE to hand out candy and other treats.
Following the parade, the Marines will take the HMVEE to Big Lots at Huntington Plaza. Gifts will be given away, and toy collection boxes will be available.
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Santa will station himself at ThEatery, 528 N. Jefferson St., to hear Christmas wishes.
Those visiting Santa are invited to enter the ornament coloring contest by visiting www.thenewhuntington.com to download a picture to color. Pictures should be cut out and decorated, then brought to hang on Santa's tree. The contest is open to children through age 12, and prizes will be awarded in two age groups.
Santa's visitors are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
Also from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., visitors can meet Santa's reindeer and pony outside of Ocean and Motion, 551 N. Jefferson St., and rides on the Reindeer Express train will be available for a fee. Riders younger than 6 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Christmas in the City is sponsored by the Huntington downtown Business Group.
The Reindeer Express is funded by Russell Engineering Associates Inc.
The reindeer and pony are funded by Emily Butts, Delora Nash and Karen Parker of The Downtown Salon; Paula Bittner, of Four Corners Custom Framing; The Huntington County TAB; Mayor Steve Updike; Tim and Phyllis Renz of Renz Floor Care Inc.; Justin Wall, of Wall Legal Services; and Ocean in Motion.
The coloring contest is sponsored by The New Huntington Theatre and Supper Club.
Christmas Lights
The Huntington Parks and Recreation Department will commence the annual lighting of the gardens at Memorial Park on Friday, Nov. 25, at 6 p.m.
The lights will be in the upper level of the park and will shine nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunken Gardens will not be lighted.
There will once more be a lighted drive through display in the north park of Memorial Park. The drive through will feature the dancing lights with some new elements and new holiday music.
The lights go through the evening of Jan. 1, 2012.
Holiday Pops
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents its Holiday Pops concert on Sunday, Nov.27, at 2:30 p.m. in the Huntington North High School auditorium.
The orchestra, joined by soprano Brianna Gamble, will perform a variety of Christmas favorites and lead the audience in a Christmas sing-along.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at MarkleBank branches in Huntington, Warren and Fort Wayne. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The concert is sponsored by Huntington North High School and MarkleBank.
Complete caption: Emma Scalf goes over her Christmas list with Santa and Mrs. Claus during last year’s Christmas in the City in downtown Huntington. Santa will arrive in Huntington this year on Saturday, Nov. 26, as part of the 2011 Christmas in the City celebration.
