From cocoa to Clydesdales at Light Up Night Meadville [The Meadville Tribune, Pa.]

Nov. 29--MEADVILLE -- Mark your calendars. With a 40 percent chance of snow predicted for Friday, Light Up Night Meadville 2011 may well be in the running for Most Picturesque Night of the Year.

Santa's reindeer will be resting up for their really, really big assignment later next month, but there will be no shortage of large animals in attendance Friday when the City of Meadville's official downtown holiday season begins. In response to popular demand, two teams of Clydesdale draft horses -- a 100-percent increase over previous years -- will be on hand to pull carriages through some of the city's most picturesque territory.

For John Fulmer, president of Friends of the Market House, lining up one team of Clydesdales for the annual event has traditionally required a logistical endeavor he humbly describes as "major." Early Monday evening, however, when Fulmer joyfully announced to the Tribune that a second team had finally been confirmed after almost a year of searching and negotiations, words weren't even necessary. The smile on his face said it all.

Friday's organized festivities begin at 4 p.m. with a reception inside Meadville's historic Market House near the corner of Chestnut and Market streets featuring complimentary cookies, cider, hot chocolate and coffee.

Sponsored by Friends of the Market House, carriage rides will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Beginning at the Market House, the carriages will proceed up Chestnut Street, circle Diamond Park and return to the Market House. Each festively decorated carriage seats 10 to 12 passengers; adults and children over 12 will be asked to pay $3; children 12 and under are $2.

Live hammer dulcimer music will entertain visitors to the Market House from 5 to 9 p.m. In addition to hosting the reception, the Market House will be open for business throughout the event, and several vendors plan to offer product samples.

The Market House, however, is only the starting point for Light Up Night Meadville.

The Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Meadville and First National Insurance Agency are once again joining forces with the Market House and downtown businesses to make 2011 a holiday season to remember. Downtown businesses traditionally open for the city's monthly First Friday celebration are urged to extend their hours from the usual 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Activities at the Gazebo in Meadville's picturesque Diamond Park begin at 5:30 p.m. with an offering of Christmas music by COOL 101.7 radio. A chain of activities including the presentation of the community tree; sing-along Christmas carols with Miss Crawford County, Miss Meadville and the youth choir of Calvary Baptist Christian Academy; and a reading by Mayor Christopher Soff of the city's official Light Up Night Meadville proclamation.

Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be available courtesy of Crawford Area Young Chamber of Commerce and Tellers Row Coffee Bar.

Here comes Santa Claus

Santa is scheduled to make his first Meadville appearance -- sans reindeer -- aboard an antique fire truck, Kathy Buzza of the Chamber of Commerce said Monday. After helping light the Christmas tree at the Gazebo, Santa will lead the customary procession down Chestnut Street. Stopping briefly at the intersection of Chestnut and Park Avenue to wave on the lights at the shops at @ the Bank and again at the intersection of Chestnut and Market to light up the Market House, Santa will head to the Downtown Mall on Water Street for the hearing of Christmas wishes and the distribution of candy canes.

Spirit of the season

For those seeking a more ecclesiastical experience, Crawford County Historical Society is hosting a tour of several of the historic churches surrounding Diamond Park. Between the hours of 6:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, luminaries will mark the entrances to Christ Episcopal Church, Stone United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville and First Presbyterian Church. Inside, docents will be available to provide information and answer questions about the historic structures and their faith communities. Musical offerings will include presentations by Bill Witherup, organist of Christ Episcopal, and the Pick-A-Longs folk band, which will perform at Stone United Methodist. At 7 p.m., the handbell choirs of First Presbyterian will present their Christmas concert. Light refreshments will be provided at Christ Episcopal.

Deck the halls!

Visitors to the Market House should plan to spend some time examining the magical results of the fifth annual Holiday Trees of Meadville contest. Individuals, families, school groups, church groups and businesses have been invited to let their imaginations run wild decorating trees encircling the historic building. Anyone interested in participating, by the way, should stop at the Market House or call 336-2056 for registration forms at their earliest possible convenience.

Decorating began Monday at noon and must be complete by 3 p.m. Friday. First, second- and third-place prizes will be Market House gift certificates valued at $50, $25 and $10 respectively. Trees will be judged by popular vote beginning at 3 p.m. Friday and continuing until noon on Dec. 9; winners will be announced at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Market House.

A holiday decorating contest for downtown Meadville businesses has been organized by the Chamber. This year's theme is "An Old Fashioned Christmas." Theme decorations, holiday cheer snacks and overall presentation will be checked out by secret judges visiting participating stores during Light Up Night Meadville. Winners in all three categories will be announced Dec. 8 at the Chamber's Christmas party at the Iroquois Boating and Fishing Club in Conneaut Lake. Businesses in the area extending from Diamond Park to Water Street and from Arch Street to Walnut Street wishing to participate in the contest should contact the Chamber at 337-8030 for an entry form. The cost to enter is $10.

Mary Spicer can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at mspicer@meadvilletribune.com.

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(c)2011 The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.)

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