Christmas in the Village kicks off holiday season in Plymouth
PLYMOUTH — Nancy Burkett crossed the street, proudly sporting her red pajamas that were covered with the words "ho, ho, ho."
"My jammies," she explained. "Our idea was to dress for the occasion."
The occasion was the seventh annual Christmas in the Village, which got underway Thursday in Plymouth's historic square. The Plymouth Improvement Committee puts on the street market and outdoor holiday festival, which continues through Saturday.
Burkett is known as the Plymouth Cheesecake Lady, the business she runs with Joy Ritchie. They had a booth set up on West Broadway, which was blocked off for the event.
"This is my favorite festival of the entire year," Burkett said. "What they (Plymouth Improvement Committee) can bring to a small town is amazing to me. You have to bless those volunteers. I don't know how they pull it off."
Visitors can shop at more than 60 of Ohio's small businesses, and peruse works by local artisans and craftspeople, inside a giant pop-up tent.
In addition, there are eight food trucks selling everything from kettle corn to pulled pork to barbecue.
Also featured is a 2,000-square-foot iceless skating rink, along with a carousel and giant slide for kids.
"It kind of reminds me of a Hallmark movie," Burkett said. "It brings all the families out."
Jennifer Wagner, representing Richland County Chamber and Economic Development, was on hand for a ribbon-cutting.
Plymouth mayor shares her favorite thing about the festival
Plymouth Mayor Cassaundra Fryman welcomed the crowd Thursday afternoon. She wore Christmas tree ornament earrings to get in the festival spirit.
"It is entirely free," she said of the events. "That's the best part."
Ruby Long watched as her 5-year-old granddaughter Shanel braved the cold to ride the carousel multiple times.
"It's cold, but she loves it," Long said. "She loves to ice skate. She likes this (carousel).
"She went down the slide and said, 'My eyes are watering!'''
Brad Polachek was one of the business owners set up in the giant tent. He is the CEO and "pit master" of Red Beard Seasonings, of Willard. He also has a red beard.
"We've been in business a little over two years," Polachek said. "We also do catering and have a food truck."
He was back at Christmas in the Village for the second year in a row.
"They do a good job of providing a variety of vendors," Polachek said.
He found another positive.
"The heaters this year are definitely an upgrade," Polachek said.
Jerry Tanner operated one of the food trucks, Route 99 Barbecue, a Willard business.
Donning a Santa hat and wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt despite the 30-degree temperature, he stood in line for coffee.
"I just came out of the trailer. It's hot in there," Tanner explained about not wearing a coat.
He said he takes his food truck to about 15 festivals a year. Christmas in the Village ranks in his top three.
"Just the people," Tanner said. "I can't believe the crowd they get at this time of year."
Festival continues through Saturday
Friday's highlights include the parade of lights at 6:30 p.m. and the Christmas tree lighting at 7:15. Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Elf Village, will be at the Plymouth Fire Department from 7:15 to 8. Fireworks are scheduled for 7:30.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be back at the Plymouth Area Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For a complete schedule, visit Plymouth's Christmas in the Village's Facebook page.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Plymouth welcomes return of Christmas in the Village for 7th year
