Shifting City
Holidays mean temporary makeovers for Olde Pickerington Village
Pickerington children and adults will be enchanted and whimsical as the City is transformed into a Haunted Village in October and the North Pole in December.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Haunted Village comes to life, offering Halloween fun for all ages.
Ghost tours, storytelling and hay rides will put the chill into your bones and warmth into your hearts from 6-8 p.m. in Olde Pickerington Village. For adventurous residents and visitors, options include a tour of the Haunted Museum, a haunted house and haunted garden, and trick-or-treat at Olde Village businesses.
There is also music by Rock Factory Studios, KIDSTOWN by Violet Baptist Church and much more.
The Haunted Village is sponsored by the City of Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department, the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association, the Pickerington Lions Club, Rock Factory and Violet Baptist Church.
On Thursday, Oct. 29, little costumed goblins – ages 2-5 – can trick or treat with an adult through the Halloween-decorated City Hall at 100 Lockville Rd. from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tots Trick or Treat is free and is fun, not frightful.
Later that evening, neighborhoods will be visited by ghostly, ghastly and beautiful creatures for the community-wide Trick or Treat, which runs from 6-9 p.m.
The magic continues in December as Olde Pickerington Village is transformed into an old-fashioned holiday gathering and the perfect place to visit jolly old St. Nicholas.
On Friday, Dec. 4, there will be carriage rides, strolling carolers, holiday gift ideas, free children’s activities and even a visit from Santa from 5-8:30 p.m. The lighting of Pickerington’s holiday tree will take place at 7 p.m.
Residents can also warm the holiday heads, hands and spirits of children in need on Dec. 4 by decorating the Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree in City Hall with mittens, gloves, hats and other warm gear. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 18.
The merry events are sponsored by the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association and the City Parks and Recreation Department.
Children can also dine with the man of the hour on Saturday, Dec. 5. Breakfast with Santa at the Pickerington Senior Center, located on 150 Hereford Dr., requires tickets to be purchased in advance for seatings at 8, 9:30 or 11 a.m. In addition to breakfast, children can make a craft, enjoy the holiday music, visit the gift shop or bake sale, and see Santa.
Tickets are $6 per person and are available Nov. 2 through Dec. 2 at the Parks and Recreation Department at 100 Lockville Rd. Children 2 years old and younger are free, but still need tickets.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Pickerington Senior Center.
The City looks forward to providing good family events for the community, said Pickerington Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Medinger.
“It’s great to see all the kids and adults who dress up for Haunted Village and Tots Trick or Treat, and the little ones who display their Christmas best during Breakfast with Santa,” Medinger said. “Just seeing the kids smile with pure joy and happiness while attending the events with their family each year is why we do what we do. We are here to provide another great experience and memory for everyone to enjoy.”
If your child missed giving Santa his or her list, there is no need to pout or shout; Santa’s elves will set up a North Pole Express mailbox in front of City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
The mailbox will be available through Friday, Dec. 11 so that the elves have time to make sure that each child hears back from Santa.
Please help Santa out by including the child’s name and a return address in the letter.
