Celebrate the Season
There’s no excuse for lack of holiday spirit in the Hocking Hills. From parades to cookie baking classes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
This is a great time to support your community by shopping local. Our gift shops and galleries are loaded with treasures you’ll never find in a shopping mall. Enter Logan Town Center’s Holiday Treasure Hunt and maybe get a little something for yourself.
Head to downtown Logan on Saturday, November 28th for the Santa Parade and the kick off of the Holiday Treasure Hunt. Just visit 6 participating merchants (no purchase is necessary) and you can enter to win one of more than 20 prizes awarded on December 18th.
In fact, there’s a holiday celebration every weekend in downtown Logan. Don’t miss the Festival of Trees opening reception on December 5th at The Bowen House. The kids can make an ornament at the Bowen House on December 5th from 10 to noon then hang the ornament on the Christmas tree next to Santa’s house in Worthington Park.
From 3 to 9 on December 5th stop by the open house at Flowers by Darlene and enjoy all the seasonal décor and refreshments. On Sunday, December 6th the Scenic Hills Senior Chorus will be giving a concert at 2:30. At 5:30 head to Worthington Park for the Celebration of Lights sponsored by the Hocking Valley Community Hospital Auxilary.
The following weekend, December 11th to 13th, don’t miss the Hocking County Children’s Chorus performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. All performances will be at the ” Prokos” Building, Corner of Main and Spring Street. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Come on down to Worthington Park on Friday, December 18th for the Holiday Treasure Hunt finale. There will be entertainment, luminaries and prizes! The last day to enter the Holiday Treasure Hunt is December 16th. Entry forms are available at participating merchants and businesses in downtown Logan.
Wow – and that’s just Logan. Nelsonville will become “North Pole Nelsonville” from November 27th to January 3rd. There’s ice skating every weekend. The Nelsonville Christmas Parade is December 5th at 11am.
What would Christmas be without the story of Scrooge? Catch a performance of ABC Players’ presentation of “A Christmas Carol” at Stuart’s Opera House from December 4th to 6th. Hop on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway for the Santa Train or the North Pole Express, running every weekend through December 20th.
Take a hike at Lake Hope State Park in December and you’ll be treated to over 100,000 lights. The Holiday Trail of Lights is every evening of December from 6 to 10. There will be additional special events on the weekends. Begin your hike at the Nature Center.
On December 12th join the Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist for Christmas in Ash Cave. Celebrate the season with a candle-lit stroll to Ash Cave, refreshments, a bonfire, carolers, Santa and a tree decorated for wildlife.
For a hands-on holiday try a wreath making class at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls on December 1st. Try new Holiday Cookies recipes at the Inn’s most popular cooking class December 3rd, 9th and 11th.
Leave the work to the experts and enjoy holiday themed dinners at Glenlaurel and Shaw’s. Gourmet dinners with a special holiday theme are featured on several nights in December.
Consider sharing the wealth with a contribution to our local food pantries and don’t miss the wonderful seasonal musical performances at area churches.
Happy holidays and may the New Year bring everyone happiness, health and prosperity.
