Christmas parade kicks off host of holiday events
ZANESVILLE — Santa will make his arrival in Zanesville tonight, as he welcomes in the Christmas season during the Storybook Christmas parade. It's just one of several Christmas-related activites taking place this month.
The parade, which starts at 6:30, will begin at Secrest Auditorium and travel up Shinnick to Fifth Street. It will continue on Fifth Street to Main Street, then to Fourth Street for its return to Secrest.
After the parade, Santa will retire to his house in front of Secrest Auditorium, where he will visit with the public. Santa will also be in residence through Dec. 4, Dec. 9-11, and Dec. 16-18, as well as Dec. 20 and Dec. 23.
The annual lighting of the Muskingum County Courthouse will coincide with the start of the parade at 6:30.
The Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra will perform at Secrest Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are available at www.http://seoso.org/tickets/.
For those with an interest in history, Muskingum County History will welcome Chuck Bell to the Increase Mathews House. Bell will portray Jonathan Zane, one of the founders of Putnam on Dec. 4 and 5. On Dec. 11, Chris Hart will portray William Chilcote, a fictional Civil War soldier in 1893. Hart will discuss life at Christmas during the war while serving in the Union Army.
On Dec. 12, Hart will portray Frank Capra in 1986, discussing the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," which Capra directed in 1946. On Dec. 18, Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra will perform a selection of holiday music. On Dec. 19, Steve and Lisa Ball will perform music from the Civil War era on vintage instruments.
The Increase Mathews House is at 304 Woodlawn Avenue. All events are from 1 pm to 4 p.m.
Downtown will host a 5k run on Saturday. To register, visit visitzanesville.com.
The Welcome Center will host a wreath-making class at 6 p.m. Dec. 10. The cost is $40, and materials will be provided. Register at visitzanesville.com.
Horse-drawn carriage rides are scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 10 and 17, around the downtown area. The cost is $5 per person. To make reservations, call 740-455-8282.
"The events being put on really harken back to the days when the downtown was the nucleus and the core of seasonal outdoor activities," said Zanesville Mayor Don Mason.
Holiday trail of lights, throughout Zane's Landing and downtown, will bring holiday cheer throughout the season.
The annual Festival of Trees fund-raising auction for the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce is at the Visitor's Center on Fifth Street on Friday.
The 32nd annual Muskingum County Holiday and Scholarship Concert will be presented on Saturday. Choirs from John Glenn, Maysville, Philo, Tri-Valley, West Muskingum, and Zanesville high schools will perform. Net proceeds go to establishing the Muskingum County Community Foundation's Performing Arts Scholarship. Doors open at 7 p.m.
A pair of holiday favorites will be shown at Secrest Auditorium this month. On Dec. 10, modern Christmas classic "Elf" will be shown, and the first 100 people will get a little bottle of syrup. "Polar Express." will be shown on Dec. 20. "Another of my Christmas favorites," Mason said. "The first 100 believers will get a bell." Admission to the movies is $5, with children 5 and under free.
Once Upon a Christmas 8 Christmas variety show will be take place at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11, at Secrest Auditorium. Tickets to both shows are $15. Proceeds benefit Christ's Table.
Jingle Jam Live, featuring Phil Vasser and Sister Hazel, is at 8 p.m. Dec. 17, at Secrest Auditorium. Tickets start at $29. Tickets to both Once Upon a Christmas and Jingle Jam are available at www.secrestauditorium.com.
ccrook@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Christmas parade kicks off host of holiday events
