Holiday tree lighting
The sky above the Grandview Center will be lit up once again this holiday season.
The annual lighting of the Grandview Heights community Holiday Tree will take place Dec. 6 at a collaborative event put on by the Grandview Heights Parks and Recreation Department and local businesses.
“(It is) traditionally a great time for all ages to get together to celebrate the start of holiday season with a variety of activities,” says Mike Patterson, recreation supervisor.
The Grandview Singers, Grandview Heights High School’s select chamber choir, will perform a number of holiday-themed songs at the event that will also include refreshments and a holiday coloring contest. The winners of the coloring contest will be able to help flip the switch on the tree lights.
Flat or ball ornaments from Clay Café will be available for purchase and can be decorated at the event.
The Grandview Center is located at 1515 W. Goodale Blvd., and the event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.grandviewheights.org.
Santa’s Coming to Town
The Grandview Singers will perform holiday songs at the city's tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 6.
Santa Claus is coming to the Grandview Heights Public Library, but don’t expect him to arrive on a sleigh.
Santa will be dropped off by the Grandview Heights Fire Department on a fire truck at the library’s front door on Dec. 10 to meet with kids and see if they have been naughty or nice.
At the event organized by the Grandview Heights Parks and Recreation Department and the Grandview Heights Public Library, children will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with Saint Nick from 11 a.m.-noon.
Eileen McNeil, youth services manager at the library, says it has welcomed Santa through its doors for the past 20 years at the annual event, and continues to do so because of its value to the parents of the children who attend. Instead of having to wait in a long line and pay for a picture, parents are able to snap a quick photo of their children with Santa for free.
Rosie, a comfort dog from Atonement Lutheran Church, will also be at the event for children who have trouble coping with the hectic environment.
“Having Rosie here makes a huge difference,” McNeil says. “Kids who feel overwhelmed can go see her.”
Families are given a number when they walk in the library so they don’t have to wait in line for their turn. Instead, children have the opportunity to make holidays crafts or play in the play area.
“Santa is always special,” McNeil says. “You can’t go wrong with Santa.”
Other Library Events
The library will hold two more holiday-themed events this year for children: Gingerbread Day and Noon Year’s Eve.
Gingerbread Day is an annual interactive story about the Gingerbread Man at the library for children ages 2-5. In past years, children have had to go on a gingerbread hunt and been able to engage in other gingerbread-themed activities.
The second Noon Year’s Eve focuses on children who can’t quite make it until midnight on the big day.
The event will be expanded into the atrium of the library this year, and activities will include games, a juice toast and a balloon drop from the ceiling when the clock hits noon.
For more information on holiday events at the library, visit www.ghpl.org/events.
Zachary Konno is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
