Herald News Report

FAIRBORN — While the first significant snow fall of the season has not yet arrived, the City of Fairborn is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the Friday, Dec. 4, downtown event is aiming to get its citizens into that holiday spirit.

Beginning at 4 p.m., residents and visitors can partake in the horse and carriage rides on Main Street dropping off and picking up at Pleasant Street and Third Street. Rides will continue until 6 p.m.

Twenty-four downtown shoppes will participate in store specials that also begin at 4 p.m. These businesses will be identified with a candy cane sign. There is also a prize drawing which involves having a card stamped at each of the 24 locations to be eligible for various prizes donated from the participating stores. Cards can be stamped on both Friday and Saturday and once filled, can be turned in to one of the participating businesses.

Also taking place 4-6 p.m. is Santa’s Candy Cane Lane, located at Fifth-Third Commons on the corner of Grand Avenue and Main Street. Here, children can have a pony ride for $1, participate in free holiday crafts and activities, enjoy a puppet show and have their picture taken with Santa for $1.

At 6 p.m., the parade begins from the American Legion and proceeds downtown to the Christmas tree, which will be lit at approximately 6:30 p.m. with the arrival of Santa. More than 20 stores will participate in store specials, remaining open until 7 p.m. with many restaurants open for the downtown holiday crowd.

Children should remember to bring their letters to Santa, as the Santa Mailbox is already set up outside the library. Letters that have a return address will receive a reply from Santa, so the City of Fairborn encourages its young citizens to get their letter in as soon as possible so Santa has plenty of time to reply.

Any questions regarding the events on Friday, Dec. 4, can be responded to by contacting the Fairborn Parks and Recreation Division at 937-754-3090.