FAIRBORN — It’s the “most wonderful time of the year” — and the City of Fairborn is ready to embrace it as it will host the Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting.
The annual event is slated to take place 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 in downtown Fairborn along Main Street.
This year will mark the inclusion of the former Fifth Third Bank building, as Santa and Mrs. Claus will host their visit inside. An ice skating rink is also being featured from 3-7 p.m. as a new addition at Main Street Commons, located at the corner of Main Street and Grand Avenue. Main Street Commons will also host a number of childrens activities including games and crafts.
Traditional item events, such as live reindeer, horse-drawn carriages, pony rides and train rides, will also take place. The Fairborn Civic Band is also scheduled to perform under the community Christmas tree.
The lighted horse parade will kick-off at 6 p.m. and will feature more than 20 horses. It will start at Main and Second Street and will turn at the Community Christmas Tree, at the Main Street and Central Avenue intersection, down Central Avenue to Xenia Drive. Santa and Mrs. Claus will conclude the parade, when Santa will step off his sleigh to light the tree, signalling the start to the holiday season. The tree was donated by the Cindy Rhodes family.
“Santa will sit under the tree and welcome kids who didn’t get to see him earlier in the event,” Fairborn Parks and Recreation Superintendent Dr. Alicia Eckhart said.
Annie the Highway Cow, who has made previous appearances at the Fairborn Farmers Market, will also host her “gender reveal” party during the event.
“She’s had a huge online presence,” Eckhart said.
