PAULDING, OH: What was once just a parade has snowballed into an afternoon extravaganza!
“When we started Merry and Bright we envisioned it becoming more than a parade, and each year it continues to get bigger and brighter. This is the second year for activities being added to the afternoon before the parade” says Brenda Crawford, Merry and Bright committee chair.
The celebration this year is on Sunday, December 8th beginning with the Christmas Pageant at 1:30 p.m. Shop the Square begins at 2:00 p.m. The majority of the festival activities and events will then begin at 3:00 p.m. All activities will end just before the parade at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss the stunning tree lighting at 5:25 p.m. to kick off the parade and make our downtown merry and bright.
The parade starts at the St. Paul Lutheran Church and continues west on Jackson Street ending at the corner of Jackson Street and US 127 (Williams Street). Any business or organization wanting to register for the parade, visit the Paulding Chamber’s website at www.pauldingchamber.com to sign up.
The second annual Christmas Pageant organized by Lindsey & Co. Hair Studio will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Branch Christian Fellowship sanctuary. Registration for the pageant is now closed, but all are welcome to watch the children in their Christmassy best. The Christmas Pageant was a hit last year and has since become a holiday favorite for families to enjoy!
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. Shop the Square vendors will be open in vacant buildings downtown. This is the perfect time to start that holiday shopping and buy local. With over 20 vendors, and many small businesses, shoppers are sure to be in the holiday spirit. Stop by the Small Business Innovation Center to get your shopper booklet with a map of vendors and coupons from area businesses!
Be sure to grab the Santa Express Passport in the Herb Monroe Park! Starting at 3:00 p.m. you can try to visit all 12 Santa Stops throughout downtown. Santa Stops can include businesses, special activities, and even free giveaways. For each Santa Stop you visit, your Santa Express Passport will be marked. Some Santa Stops include fun activities, free treats and drinks, and some involve helping others. Bring new gloves, mittens, hats or scarves and help decorate the Warmth Tree at Holly, Wood, and Vine. All donated items will be given to people in need of some warmth this holiday season. Before coming to the festival be sure to grab a few cans of food from home and drop them off at E&R Ceramics. All donations will be given to local food pantries. Also, show our brave men and women some Christmas cheer by writing them a Christmas card located in Pam’s Cutting Edge. There is nothing better than a warm blanket when it’s bitterly cold outside. Join the Girl Scouts of Paulding County in the Masonic Lodge by making tie blankets for area nursing homes! Stop by at least 10 of the Santa Stops to be entered to win a basket full of goodies donated by businesses and organizations in the area. This isn’t just for kids, people of all ages are welcome to enjoy the fun! Check out the Merry and Bright Christmas Celebration page on Facebook for a list of all of the Santa Stops!
There will be a baked potato and taco bar in the basement of the Branch Christian Fellowship Church hosted by the Bargain Bin beginning at 3:00 p.m.
NEW this year, take a free wagon ride down to the Lutheran Church and visit Santa’s Barnyard! Wagon rides will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. from the Cook & Gorrell parking lot traveling down Jackson Street to St. Paul Lutheran Church where you can visit the petting zoo. Keep in mind the petting zoo will be about a half mile away from the heart of the festival, so if you or a loved one cannot come into contact with certain animals don’t worry, there is still a ton to do downtown! There will be signage prior to getting on the wagon as a reminder that there will be live animals if you take the wagon ride all the way to Santa’s Barnyard at the Lutheran Church. While you’re down there be sure to grab a warm marshmallow provided by the Boy Scouts! Highlights along the wagon ride include a stop at the Paulding County Senior Center where you can hop off for some tasty food, and make a craft sponsored by the Campground Kids 4-H Club. Rides will continue through Christmas Card Lane down to Santa’s Barnyard. Take in all of the beautiful life-size Christmas cards sponsored by businesses, organizations and families throughout the county!
You’ll want to head on over to Paulding VFW Post #587 dressed in your ugliest Christmas sweater. From 3PM-5PM they are hosting an Ugly Sweater Contest for all ages and will have food available for purchase.
Don’t miss the live ice sculpting by Ice Creations starting at 3:30 p.m.! They will be creating two ultimate cool ice sculptures live throughout the festival! The sculpting will take place at the intersection of Main Street and Jackson Street. Take a seat on the bleachers or swing by to see some professionals carve into a block of ice to make two beautiful Christmas sculptures.
Back by popular demand, the second annual Jingle Bell Jog will kick-off at 4:00 p.m. All runners, joggers, walkers, and prancers are encouraged to dress in their best Christmas attire and of course wear jingle bells. This is a short distant fun race and will start at the St. Paul Lutheran Church and run-down Jackson Street, to Main Street, back up Jackson and will conclude at the Paulding County Senior Center. Recognition will be awarded to first place adult male, first place adult female, first place youth male and first place youth female finishers! You don’t need to be a seasoned runner to participate!
Other family friendly activities include: S’mores by the Paulding Fire Department and EMS and candy canes provided the Antwerp Presbyterian Church.
Enjoy live music in front of First Financial Bank provided by the Oakwood Alumni Band, and sing along if you’d like!
Throughout the celebration free hot drinks and warming stations will be available.
There is so much fun to be had before the parade kick-off and lighting of the Christmas tree in the park at 5:30 p.m. Come to downtown Paulding on Sunday, December 8th for lots of fun activities for kids and adults of all ages. We hope to see you and may all your Christmases be Merry and Bright.
