Olde Pickerington Village is bringing back Christmas cheer with its annual Holiday in the Village Gathering from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 4.

This is the 15th year for the event, previously known as Victorian Holiday Gathering. The name was changed to complement the district’s Haunted Village Celebration at Halloween. The town also has dropped its Victorian theme.

“They used to dress up in Victorian clothing and they would sing by the tree lighting, but they haven’t (done that) in years,” says Keely Weaver, president of the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association.

This year’s celebration includes a tree lighting ceremony in Gazebo Park at Center and Columbus streets at 7:30 p.m. In years past, the event was always held on a Sunday afternoon, but it was moved to Friday night this year to make the ceremony more dramatic.

The ceremony kicks off with the Pickerington Satellite Choir performing followed by words from Pickerington Mayor Mitch O’Brien and Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen.

Also during this time, the PCMA Food Pantry will light a set of trees outside of its office, which is located at 15 E. Columbus St. near the city’s tree lighting ceremony.

The pantry’s event is set up as a fundraiser, in which every $5 donation lights a bulb on a string of white lights.

Aside from the city tree lighting ceremony, the gathering will also include its usual favorites – strolling carolers, roasted chestnuts, free children’s activities and a visit and photos with Santa.

Instead of carriage rides as in previous years, there will be a Hollywood Cart Pony Ride for children located outside 80 W. Church St. (where Laura’s Loft and Romeo’s Pizza are located). In addition, Olde Village shops and restaurants will remain open late with specials for visitors.

“The hometown atmosphere makes this event special,” says Denise Griffith, chairperson for the event. “Typically our shops close at 5 p.m., so to have something at night makes it nice. We light candles and it gives a small town feel.”

The business association is co-sponsoring the event with the City of Pickerington. For more information, visit www.pickeringtonvillage.com. For more information on the PCMA Food Pantry fundraiser, visit www.pcmafoodpantry.com.  

Katie Sheets is a contributing writer for Pickerington Magazine.