Grove City welcomes holiday with long list of Christmas activities
The holiday season will arrive in full force with the Grove City Christmas Celebration and other activities Dec. 2 and 3 in the Town Center.
The Heart of Grove City Christmas parade will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 2.
Following the parade, Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage ‒ accompanied by City Council members and Santa ‒ will lead the annual countdown to light the Christmas tree at Broadway and Park Street.
“We look forward to welcoming the community in celebration of the holidays as we light the Town Center Christmas tree,” Stage said. “Two days of family fun and festive activities, including a Community Winds and Chamber Singers concert, bring seasonal joy to our community.”
The concert will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at Grove City High School, 4665 Hoover Road.
The Heart of Grove City Mistletoe Market will be in a tent at town center park, 3359 Park St., along with a number of vendors for holiday shopping, from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3.
“Reminiscent of the German Cristkindl Market, this festive holiday shopping market brings old world charm and warmth to Grove City’s historic Town Center,” says the Heart of Grove City website, heartofgrovecity.org.
Food trucks will be at the market from 11 a.m. to 6 pm. Dec. 3, and the website says a number of downtown merchants also will sell gifts. Food also will be available at downtown restaurants.
The website also says the Heart of Grove City Fire and Police Toy Program will collect donations of new, unwrapped toys, which can be donated during the Christmas parade and throughout the day Dec. 3 at the Mistletoe Market.
Jackson Township firefighters and Grove City police will have a friendly competition in the collection, and donors can choose which department will receive their donation, Heart of Grove City said.
A trophy and bragging rights will be awarded to the department with the most toy donations collected. Those donating will have their name placed in a drawing for prizes and gift cards from Heart of Grove City businesses and restaurants.
The celebration also will include:
- Photos with Santa: 4-6:45 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3. Parents can take their own photo or receive a print for a $5 donation, benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in the Mistletoe Market tent.
- “Reindeer” rides: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3 in the green space at Arbutus Avenue and Park Street. Heart of Grove City said the reindeer will be portrayed by horses dressed like reindeer.
- A homemade chicken and noodle dinner, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Grove City Community Club, 3397 Civic Place.
- Breakfast with Santa: 7:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at Grove City Masonic Lodge 689, 3558 Park St.
- Maker’s Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 3 at Visit Grove City, 3995 Broadway.
- Christmas in the Village, hosted by the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society: noon-4 p.m. Dec.3 at Century Village, 4185 Orders Road.
The city said these events will continue throughout December:
- The Nutcracker Hunt: Dec. 2 through Jan. 3 in the historic Town Center.
- “Treats for Wildlife,” Gardens at Gantz Farms holiday display at Gantz Park, 2255 Home Road.
- Various holiday activities at the Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway, and Little Theatre Off Broadway, 3891 Broadway.
The city also encourages residents to share their festively decorated homes on the 2022 Grove City Christmas Lights Tour map for others to drive by and enjoy. For details, go to grovecityohio.gov/topic/grovecitychristmaslightstour/.
Visit GroveCityOhio.gov for all activities.
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