Santa, one of the numerous decorations at Warsaw’s Central Park, got a light dusting of snow on him on Thursday, Nov. 21. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

Staff Report

WARSAW — Christmas events have started in the Kosciusko County area.

Following last weekend’s tree lighting in The Village at Winona Lake, the North Webster Chamber of Commerce has its own Christmas tree lighting tomorrow, Nov. 23.

That and other upcoming Christmas events are listed below. To add an item to a future list, email [email protected].

Akron

• The Akron Chamber of Commerce, Town of Akron, local churches and Dillon’s KIDS present Illuminate Akron from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The downtown square Christmas tree will be lit, with there also being hot chocolate, music and a visit from Santa.

Claypool

• Echoes of the Past is hosting cookies with Santa from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6840 S. County Farm Road, Claypool. There will also be hot chocolate, a horse-drawn sleigh ride and a take-home craft.

Etna Green

• Santa Claus is coming to Heritage Park from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21.

Goshen

• Goshen First Fridays’ Hometown Holiday is Friday, Dec. 6. It runs from 5-9 p.m. There’s events happening at various businesses, including pictures with Santa from 5-8 p.m. at 215 S. Main St. A Christmas tree lighting is on West Washington Street at 6:30 p.m.

Ligonier

• Stone’s Trace Vintage Christmas is 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5111 US 33. It will be a Christmas party 1830s-style, with wagon rides, cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and cider. There will also be a drawing for a live Christmas tree.

North Webster

• The North Webster Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas tree lighting events are Saturday, Nov. 23. Santa will be able for visits starting at 3 p.m. at the fire station. Sleigh rides will be from 4-6 p.m. at the fire station’s brick house. An ATV parade will be at 6 p.m. There will also be various other activities around town leading up to the Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. on Pilcher’s lawn.

Pierceton

• The Pierceton Chamber of Commerce’s Heritage Gathering Primitive Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Pierceton Elementary School, 434 S. First St. There will be primitive items and antiques for sale with live greenery and refreshments.
• Pierceton’s Christmas parade is Saturday, Dec. 7. Lineup starts at 5:30 p.m. at Pierceton Elementary School. The parade will start at 6 p.m. and travel to Brower Park, with free cookies and hot chocolate available to all. Those interested in being a part of the parade can contact the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce. Day-of entries will also be accepted.

Rochester

• A Christmas decoration contest is coming to Rochester. People are welcome to have homes and businesses, including churches, judged by the general public in the contest, with the top three in each category receiving Fulton County Chamber of Commerce Bucks. The contest committee has a Facebook group, Light up Rochester Indiana, where a form will open at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, for people to enter the contest with the entry period closing on Saturday, Dec. 14. People may also pick up forms for the contest at The Shopping Guide News of Fulton County’s office, 617 Main St., Rochester. Voting will be done on the group’s Facebook page, where pictures of the places decorated will be posted. One like will equal one vote. People may also drive to see the places decorated in person, with street information listed by the entry pictures on Facebook. Places will be judged from Sunday, Dec. 15, through midnight Saturday, Dec. 21.
• The Rochester Downtown Partnership’s Holiday Stroll is 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. There will be a visit from Santa, music, and more. More info is to come.
• The Rochester Parks and Recreation Department’s first-ever Light Up the Park is Saturday, Dec. 14. It starts at 7 p.m., with people able to drive through the park by entering off 13th Street to see various Christmas displays set up. There will also be carolers and Santa at the park then. Individuals, groups and businesses are welcome to sign up to host a display in part of the park. Those decorations will be lit through midnight Dec. 14 and continue to be on from 6 p.m. to midnight each night through Saturday, Jan. 4. People can also sign up after Dec. 14 and still display until Jan. 4. Sign-up may be done on the Rochester Park & Recreation Facebook page or the department’s website rochesterparkandrecreation.com.

Shipshewana

• Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy event runs 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday beginning on Friday, Nov. 22, and running through Tuesday, Dec. 31. The display is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It’s on the grounds of the Shipshewana RV Park, with entry starting at the Shipshewana Flea Market on SR 5 and exiting onto CR 200N. Admission is $20 per vehicle Sunday-Thursday and $30 per vehicle Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online at shipshewanalightsofjoy.com.

Syracuse

• Chautauqua Wawasee presents An Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration at Oakwood Resort, 702 E. Lake View Road, on Saturday, Nov. 30. It’s 5:30-8 p.m., and is a free outdoor event. There will be reindeer to pet, children’s games, the Christmas story, carolers, wagon rides, a family photo booth, Santa Claus and a live Nativity scene.
• The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce has announced its Christmas Light Pole Decorating event, which will take place from Monday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 6. Local businesses and community groups may showcase through the contest. After the decorating period, photos of the poles will be shared on SWCC Facebook where everyone can vote for their favorites from Thursday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 19. Winners will be announced Friday, Dec. 20. SWCC encourages all businesses to participate, as they have the first right to refusal on designated light poles, so people ensure the business’ approval before decorating. Remember to include a sign indicating business or group’s name on the pole. All decorations are required to be “PG”-rated and weather-resistant. No power will be provided, and voting is exclusive to Chamber Member Poles. All decorations need to be removed by Tuesday, Dec. 31, while leaving the snowflake on the pole intact.

Wakarusa

• The Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to gather in downtown Wakarusa as the town marks 70 years of the annual holiday tree lighting. “A Small Town Noel” is being hosted by the town of Wakarusa and the Wakarusa Chamber on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7. The celebration kicks off with a parade at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 6, followed by the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Doc’s Pavilion will feature a Christmas Market open 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7. A Golf Cart Parade will feature decorated carts gliding through the streets to spread holiday cheer. Some special guests are expected, too, including Santa Claus, Rudolph and an elf or two. See the Chamber’s website for more information about events, including Breakfast with Santa, Letters to Santa, a decorating contest, cookie walk, ornament making, hay rides and more.

Warsaw

• Main Street Warsaw is having its Christmas celebration from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Warsaw. The event includes carriage rides, food and the Twinkle Light Parade starting around 6:30 p.m. The parade will travel east down West Center Street, then head north on Indiana Street before turning on East Canal Street, then heading south down North Buffalo Street, west on East Fort Wayne Street and then south on North Lake Street.
• The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s Light Up the Night is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Central Park. The first lighting of the park display will be that night, and Santa will come for a visit. There will also be goody bags and glow necklaces while supplies last.
• Fellowship Church Warsaw has its fourth annual Gingerbread House Decorating Event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7. The church is located at 1838 E. Kosciusko Drive. The cost is $10 per house, payable the day of by cash or check. To sign up, go to fellowship-warsaw.org/event/gingerbread-houses-return-for-2024.
• “A Country Christmas With Susie McEntire” returns to Lakeview Middle School, 848 E. Smith St., on Saturday, Dec. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 7 p.m. The concert once again has free admission, with people asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots. McEntire will be joined by special guests Linda Davis and Keenie, with South Whitley native Janie Fricke also performing.

Winona Lake

• Winona Lake Parks and Recreation Department’s Letters to Santa has returned for 2024. People may find forms at the Winona Lake Limitless Park Facebook page and information on including some background information on their kids to make the return letters more personalized. Forms are also available outside of Winona Lake Town Hall next to the special North Pole mailbox. If people cannot print off or pick up the special forms, they should include the personalized information and letters themselves. Letters and forms must be dropped off to the box or mailed to Santa Claus C/O Town of Winona Lake, Winona Lake Limitless Park, 1590 Park Ave., P.O. Box 338, Winona Lake, IN 46590. People should not forget to include return address info. Letters and personal information must be received by 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, to get a response back. The Letters to Santa program is free.
• The public is invited to participate in a Christmas carol sing to be held in the chapel of Grace Retirement Village in Winona Lake on Sunday, Dec. 1. The event is at 6 p.m., with the organ and piano prelude beginning at 5:45 p.m. Accompanying the carols will be organist Bill Schaffer and pianist Richard Dick. Carols will be led by Howard Mayes and Terry White. Special program elements will be dramatic readings by Grace College student Trevor Ott, vocal soloist Connie Meadows, pianist Maxine Currie, a cornet solo by Mayes and an arrangement of “Ring the Bells” played by Margaret Mundy on the musical cowbells. Also participating will be Grace Retirement Village chaplain Bryan Benjamin and Grace Retirement Village CEO Justin Kimbrell. Grace Retirement Village is located at 337 Grace Village Drive.