Alliance, Sebring to celebrate the holiday season with Dec. 3 festivals

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·2 min read

Neighboring communities of Alliance and Sebring will welcome the holiday season with free festivals Saturday.

Families and friends can expect hot drinks, food, tree lightings, Santa and much more at both events, which are evening celebrations.

More:Who needs a mall? Santa's visits set throughout the Alliance area

Here are the details for Alliance's and Sebring's holiday events:

'Christmas in the Park' in Alliance

The annual Christmas in the Park will run 5 to 7 p.m. in Silver Park.

There will be cookies, hot dogs, hot cocoa, make-and-take ornaments, light displays, ice sculptures, giveaways and a visit from Santa Claus in the new Robertson Lodge.

The tree lighting ceremony is at 5:30 p.m.

"The Magical Train" carried children and parents on a loop around the pond during the 2021 Christmas in the Park event Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Silver Park in Alliance.
"The Magical Train" carried children and parents on a loop around the pond during the 2021 Christmas in the Park event Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Silver Park in Alliance.

Andrea Lee, chairwoman for the event, said there also will be train rides available around the lake, outdoor fire pits and a new "Candy Cane Lane" for children ages 1-6.

She said Candy Cane Lane will offer activities and crafts that are more appropriate for younger children, noting some of the other features are for older children.

Now in its fifth season, Christmas in the Park is the city's marquee Christmas event, Lee said, and it continues to get bigger each year.

"Every year we add something different to continue to grow," Lee said, "so we're excited to see what people think of the things we've added."

Sebring Christmas Festival

The fifth annual Christmas Festival at Harvest Park starts at 4 p.m. with free activities. The tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. followed by a parade at 5:45 p.m.

Following the parade, a free Winter Wonderland Party will take place at Gednetz-Ruzek & Brown Funeral Home, the primary sponsor of the festival.

West Branch's marching band performs on 15th Street on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, during the Sebring Christmas in the Village event.
West Branch's marching band performs on 15th Street on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, during the Sebring Christmas in the Village event.

"We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves. It's free," said funeral director Sam Barnhouse, one of the organizers. The party also will include free printed kids photos with Santa for families.

He expected between 30 to 60 units − including, a lighted tractor − in the parade.

The route begins at the courthouse on East Ohio Avenue, turns left onto North 12th Street, turns right onto East Oregon Avenue, turns right onto North 15th Street, turns right onto East Indiana Avenue and ends at Sebring McKinley Jr./Sr. High School.

"(The event) gets the community together to enjoy the holiday season," Barnhouse said, "and it kicks off the spirit of Christmas for everyone."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance, Sebring to welcome the Christmas season with festivals