West Liberty will host its annual Christmas in the Village Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26, including the parade that begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The village and shops will be adorned with festive greenery and will showcase a variety of gifts. Shoppers can enjoy the sidewalk Christmas music and delicious refreshments at the local eating establishments.
From 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, shoppers can warm up with ham and bean soup and chili soup, along with cornbread and cookies, that will be served for a donation inside the West Liberty Firehouse.
The annual Luminary 5K race takes place before the parade at 5 p.m. The entry fee is $25 and registration can be done the day of the race beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Big Orange Shoe Shop, 103 W. Baird. (Form is available at www.mywestliberty.com)
The 5K course includes two loops around the west side of downtown West Liberty. The starting line is at the intersection of Detroit and Newell streets. Pick up bib at BOSS,103 W. Baird St., prior to race start. Walkers, strollers, dogs all welcome.
After the parade, a 5K awards and door prizes from local businesses take place at The Grove, 123 N. Detroit St.
Line-up for the parade begins at 5:45 p.m. at Lions Park.
At 6:30 p.m., the parade will make its way to the downtown, led by Grand Marshal Jacob Vitt, who will have the honor of lighting the village Christmas tree.
Vitt is the owner/operator of Logan Lawn and Landscaping, which was established in 1990.
“Jake spends an incredible amount of time serving our community through the Lions Club, the West Liberty Business Association, as a volunteer firefighter, and a WL-S bus driver,” village representatives said.
Santa Claus will be arriving in the village all of the way from the North Pole on a horse-drawn carriage, sponsored by Aaron Francis from Royer Realty.
Santa will meet the children after the parade in the gazebo. Serina Ann Photography will be taking pictures of children with Santa Claus and e-mailing them to parents for a $5 donation.