Get in the Christmas spirit with the Miracle on Main parade
COSHOCTON – There’s nothing that gets you in the Christmas spirit more than a lighted Christmas parade. This year, Our Town Coshocton is once again sponsoring the Miracle on Main parade in downtown Coshocton on Friday, Nov. 17. The parade will begin on Seventh Street, turn onto Main Street, and end at Third Street.
“There are no really big changes to the parade this year,” said Rick Williamson. “We are focused on building upon last year and safety. That was a huge thing we built upon.”
One change is that Our Town Coshocton is partnering with the Salvation Army.
“We want to be a part of the community,” said Envoy Victoria Clark. “We don’t want to be sitting on the bench. We want to be out and about in the community.”
There will also be a new attraction added to the event this year. In the back part of the artPARK, there will be a light display featuring the roller coaster and an eight-foot tree that uses e1.31 technology to come to life. The display will be an RGB light show with interaction between the roller coaster and the tree. Eight hundred lights make up the tree and there will be up to 600 lights on the roller coaster. This will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m.
Festivities will also begin at that time in the courtsquare with vendors, hot chocolate, and cookies. A Santa Beard Contest begins at 6 p.m. at the artPARK and emceed by Valerie Grace. This year, there will be a children’s category and an adult category. Prizes will be awarded for the best beard in each category. No pre-registration is required.
Characters Plus will also be sponsoring a special guest on Main Street prior to the parade.
The parade will begin making its way down Seventh Street at 6:30 p.m. Line-up is at the fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. No pre-registration is required for the parade, but all participants must register the night of the parade. You can print out a registration form on Our Town Coshocton’s website at www.ourtowncoshocton.org/coshocton or on Facebook.
Santa will be the main event at the end of the parade and BKH Studios has donated space this year to host Santa after the parade for photos. Each child who comes to see Santa will have their picture taken and parents or legal guardians have the opportunity to purchase the photos.
“We are the first official stop for Santa in Central Ohio,” said Williamson. “This is really great for us because we don’t compete for other events in the surrounding communities. That’s why we have this parade so early in the season.”
This year, candy thrown from floats is prohibited. Walkers are encouraged to hand candy out to children along the parade route.
“This is done for safety,” said Williamson. “We want everyone to come out and have fun, but most of all, be safe.”
The grand marshal of the parade will be announced soon. Jeff Drennen Dealership will again provide a vehicle to chauffer the grand marshal.
If you get cold during the parade, the Salvation Army is providing hot chocolate and cookies in the former Central School lot on Seventh Street, Hickory Street, and the WTNS lot. Leadership Coshocton County is also providing cookies and hot chocolate at the courtsquare, United Way, and Coshocton Furniture.
“We really want to thank the sheriff’s office, Coshocton County REACT, and the city fire department,” said Williamson. “Without the help of those agencies, it would be really hard to do this parade.”
Barb Karr of Our Town Coshocton also hopes that many people will shop at the many stores on Main Street that will be staying open late due to the parade. She also encouraged people to shop local on the “Show Love, Shop Small and Small Business Saturday” on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Our Town Coshocton is also sponsoring a book read up and down Main Street. The story “Twas the Night Before Christmas” will be hanging in store windows throughout the Christmas season. Children and their parents or guardians are encouraged to walk up and down Main Street and read the story.
Our Town Coshocton sponsors various events throughout the year including First Fridays, The Appalachian Bacon Festival, and many others. They couldn’t put on these events without community sponsors.
“We’d like to thank everyone who’s sponsored Our Town Coshocton throughout the year,” said Williamson. “Without them, events like this wouldn’t be possible.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
