by TOM DONNELLY
Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce
This year, the Versailles Hometown Christmas Committee is sponsoring the annual Versailles Hometown Christmas taking place on Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16. This fun-filled event is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season and involves dozens of businesses and organizations throughout the Versailles area. Santa Claus has promised us that he will arrive at Fountain Square in Versailles around 6:00 p.m. His appearance will officially start the holiday season in V-town.
Stores will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Caroling (public participation encouraged) will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00. Free hot chocolate, coffee, and hot dogs will be available throughout the evening. Free horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, provided by Ro-Da-O Farms of Arcanum, will commence immediately following the Tree Lighting and continue until 9:00 p.m. There will also be a Live Nativity scene in evidence behind the Floor Store & More. New this year, a very special Holiday Bazaar will be located in the old VPP building on South Center Street from 5:00-9:00.
Saturday morning will feature the annual Santa Parade at 10:30, preceded by more free hot chocolate, coffee, and rolls at 9:00 in the old fire house on South Center Street. Stores and the Holiday Bazaar will be open from 9:00-3:00. Face painting will also be in the old fire house from 11:00-1:00, along with more Live Nativity and Caroling. Throughout the weekend, donations for the local food pantry will be accepted in the old VPP building. At 11:00 Saturday, the Rage and Rocko Fire Prevention Team and Ident-A-Kid program will begin.
The carriage and wagon rides are being sponsored by the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the weekend, many area businesses will be awarding door prizes, and several will also be hosting some special local vendors, such as Mary Kay Cosmetics and Tastefully Simple, etc.
One very new feature of the 2013 Versailles Hometown Christmas will be “Chamber Bucks.” One lucky participant will be receiving a $100.00 prize when his or her name is drawn from among the entries received. A flier that is already available at many local businesses has a Chamber Bucks form on the back, which shoppers can take around to ten selected stores during the Hometown Christmas weekend. Those establishments will affix a business stamp on the forms next to their names. Participants must visit all ten shops, most of which are right along Main Street, during the weekend of November 14 and 15--between 9:00 Friday morning and 3:00 Saturday afternoon. All entries must be received at the Candle Cottage or Nancy O’s by 3:00 on Saturday, November 16. The winner will be announced at a later date.
It all promises to be a great weekend for the entire family as Versailles proves once again that V-town is the place to be for the very best Hometown Christmas celebration.
