Santa is Back! Will Light Dixon Christmas Tree Thursday

The Downtown Dixon Business Association’s Christmas Tree has arrived on schedule this year and in plenty of time for Dixon’s annual Tree Lighting Festival this Thursday, December 1, 4 – 8 pm. along North First Street.

It was placed in the ground with the help of the City of Dixon on Tuesday. Orr says she and the DDBA Board of Directors are set to help everyone have a safe evening, despite the weather forecast of some windy and cold weather.

“We’ve had all kinds of weather in the past but people seem to still come out for this event,” said Orr. “We encourage everyone to dress appropriately and plan to slow down for the many children that come with their families.”

All festive feet are invited to join the DDBA volunteers at the Women’s Improvement Club Park where there will be plenty of activities before the switch is flipped at 7:30 p.m. to turn on the town tree.

Carriage rides will circle the downtown core, passing by the holiday decorations inside and outside the local merchants. There will also be free pony rides in the park and story telling inside the Dixon Public Library. Children’s song and dance performances will be outdoors on the stage and lots of other children’s activities will go on inside Calvary Chapel just down the street.

To help remind you of the real reason for Christmas, Grace Fellowship Church is helping to provide a live Nativity scene, also in the park, where little ones can see Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

Don’t be surprised if you see the Grinch, a real life Nutcracker, Frosty the Snowman and other costumed characters roving around—they’re there to shake hands and visit with children while you enjoy cookies provided by the Women of the Moose. You can also enjoy sipping hot apple cider provided by the Dixon Fire Department helpers, or if you prefer, you can have some hot chocolate poured by volunteers for the Dixon Police Department.

There will be hot popcorn and candy canes, too, but if you want dinner, you’ll have to go inside one of the great local restaurants downtown. There will also be home made gifts and crafts inside a couple of the ‘currently empty’ commercial spaces and you won’t want to leave until you had your picture taken with Santa by the Soroptimist Club women located inside the former ‘Scott Hill Gallery’ commercial space, 175 North First Street.

Downtown merchants will be open and ready to serve you all throughout the evening so don’t let your socks set still; all merry elves are invited to join the holiday fun. For more information, contact DDBA President Jill Orr at 678-8400 or go to www.dixondowntown.com.