'A beautiful night to do this:' Shoppers fill downtown for Candlelight Christmas
It was cold enough that at the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club tent, Brittany Locker was warming her hands alongside the big chili pot — but not so chilly that John Kuhn couldn't wear red shorts with his Santa Claus sweatshirt, red cap and long, white beard.
In short, Thursday evening's weather was pretty much ideal for the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Candlelight Christmas, which returned after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I hope a lot of people come up and take advantage of it," Veronica Hildreth, FCBank's community office manager, said as the evening's activities got started. "In past years, it's been cold and it snowed, which kind of sets the scene and gets everyone in the Christmas spirit — but it's a beautiful night to do this."
For the third year, the bank sponsored an iceless skating rink, which was set up on Washington Square in front of its office. Employees gave away hot cocoa, cookies and bright red Rudolph noses for the kids.
"We're so excited to get out and see people and mingle with the community," Hildreth said. "I know a lot of people look forward to this."
Across Mansfield Street, Locker was dishing out bowls of chili made by workers at the Crawford County Council on Aging — where she's the nutrition coordinator — for a donation.
A Salvation Army bell-ringer was stationed outside the Pelican House, where representatives from Grace's Light had a table, too. Other local organizations had booths set up along the street, and a number of churches had tables at Schines Art Park, where people could board vintage carriage rides.
As crowds began to fill downtown streets, students from the Bucyrus schools' combined show choirs arrived to sing carols, as did members of United in Harmony.
Jessie Furner, the chamber's executive director, said the event stretched from Ley's Jewelry, 225 N. Sandusky Ave., to Flour and Whisk Bakery, 416 S. Sandusky Ave.
There was an art show in the community room at First Federal Bank, and a photo booth at Old Crawford Land and Title. The Browns Backers Club did a "Poker Walk," encouraging people to visit six downtown businesses for a chance to win prizes.
Things seemed to be going well, she said.
"I think so," Furner said. "This is my first one, so ask me tomorrow." She started her job right after the 2019 event, and the 2020 one was canceled, she explained. "But so far, so good."
ggoble@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Shoppers fill downtown Bucyrus for Candlelight Christmas
