IT'S GLOWING: Charlestown prepares to ‘Light Up’ for the holidays

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AREA LIGHT UP EVENTS

NOV. 23
Light Up Charlestown
• MORE INFORMATION: Light Up Charlestown celebration
• WHERE: Greenway Park, Charlestown
• WHEN: 7 p.m.
• COST/MEMBERSHIP: Free with carriage rides, hot chocolate and Santa Claus to help get you in the holiday spirit

NOV. 24
Holiday Fest and Jingle Walk
• MORE INFORMATION: Holiday Fest and Jingle Walk, the city’s official Light Up event
• WHERE: Downtown New Albany
• WHEN: 1 to 7 p.m.
• COST/MEMBERSHIP: Tickets for the Jingle Walk are $15 in advance and $20 day of the event

Light Up New Washington
• WHAT: The New Washington Beautification Committee will host the second annual Light Up New Washington festivities.
• WHERE: It will be held across the street from the bank, on Main Street in New Washington, and will feature the high school choir, elementary/middle school choirs, and performers from the school drama club will be performing songs from their upcoming play. Other attractions include the arrival of Santa, free cookies and hot chocolate by the historic A Step Back restaurant, and the mvie “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on the big outdoor screen. A craft bazaar will be from noon to 6 p.m. inside A Step Back restaurant. Booth space is still available by calling Bette at 502-767-1790.
• WHEN: 6 p.m.

DEC. 1
Jeffersonville Light Up Holiday Parade
• MORE INFORMATION: Holiday parade
• WHERE: Parade will travel north on Spring Street to Seventh Street, followed by Light Up Jeffersonville at Warder Park
• WHEN: 5 p.m.
• DEADLINE/REGISTER: More information, call 502-376-9104

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November 22, 2012

IT'S GLOWING: Charlestown prepares to ‘Light Up’ for the holidays

Area’s largest Christmas display to feature choir, carriage rides and Santa

By GARY POPP gary.popp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Mon Nov 26, 2012, 04:03 PM EST

CHARLESTOWN — Charlestown officials will brighten up Black Friday by hosting the 12th-annual Light Up Charlestown celebration.

Donna Coomer, the city’s clerk-treasurer and chairman of Charlestown Beautification Committee, said this year’s illuminating Christmas display will be the best in the event’s history.

“It is magical,” Coomer said. “Everybody should come to Charlestown and see the magic.”

Coomer said nearly 300,000 lights will be on display in the city’s square near Charlestown’s City Hall and an additional 100,000 lights will be shinning throughout other parts of the city and Greenway Park. This year’s Light Up Charlestown will kick off at 6 p.m. today, Nov. 23, in Greenway Park where a ceremonial switch will be flipped to turn on the lights throughout the city.

Coomer said folks will have the opportunity to stroll between Greenway Park and the city square to enjoy the nearly half-million lights.

“It’s an event where the community comes together and makes great family memories,” Coomer said, adding that nearly 3,000 people are expected to congregate to enjoy Light Up Charlestown on opening night.

She said the event is popular among city residents, but also for those who grew up in the area, moved away and return for the festivities.

“A lot of people come back to the community to see the event who are natives of Charlestown,” Coomer said.

She said Light Up Charlestown is the biggest Christmas display in Southern Indiana and even draws people who don’t have ties to the city. A group of senior citizens from Ohio have made arrangements to travel to Charlestown to see the seasonal spectacle, Coomer said.

The family-friendly event will include a Holiday House in the city square that will offer hot chocolate, baked goods, crafts and Santa Claus ready to listen to children’s Christmas wish lists. The light display will be synchronized to seasonal music, Coomer said, and for those who want to escape the cool weather and view the display from their vehicles, radio station 87.9 AM will be playing the same synchronized tunes.

Light Up Charlestown also will showcase a choir performing Christmas carols and a horse-drawn carriage will be available for anyone wanting to make their illuminated wonderland experience extra special. The carriage rides will be available for $4 per person from 5:20 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 7:20 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. at 20 minute intervals. Carriage rides are provided on a first-come, first-served bases. The horse-drawn carriage rides will continue until the weekend before Christmas on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings by reservation only.

To reserve a carriage ride, call Rhonda Davidson with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 812-256-3422.

Other Christmas events in Charlestown

The city will host its first Christmas parade beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 8. The parade will start at 110 Market St. and proceed to Ind. 62. The public is encouraged to take part in the parade by creating festive floats to enter into the Christmas processional. Contact Davidson for more information. Following the parade, a float of carolers will spread Christmas cheer to several of the city’s subdivisions.

To learn morn about the caroling float or to become involved, call Coomer at 812-256-7126.