Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
"The Town That Still Believes"
Stately Nutcrackers stand their post in the front walkway of the Columbia County Courthouse in anticipation of the upcoming Dayton Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Kick Off.
DAYTON–The traditional Christmas Kick-off returns in full swing this year with a parade and two full days of free activities on November 26–27.
Your wish for an old-fashioned Christmas is our dream come true from the "town that still believes". A mule drawn carriage ride, carolers wishing us a Merry Christmas in front of the storefronts of shops and businesses serving holiday cookies and cheer. A community brought together to share a warm smile with friends, family and visitors alike.
Traditions become memories when children's eyes twinkle as they line up to visit Santa, while adults shop the town's retail stores and a busy Christmas Market in the State's oldest train depot. Izzy the camel is led up and down Main Street before settling into his role in a live Nativity scene. Diners turn towards the darkened windows to see a street lit only by the participants of a lighted parade, then all gather round to cheer as the Town Christmas Tree comes to life and to celebrate as fireworks light up the sky over the State's oldest working courthouse.
This is how Dayton kicks off the Christmas season every year on the day after Thanksgiving. "Christmas Kickoff" is proof that Dayton is "the town that still believes".
The line-up of fun begins on Friday, November 26, and again on Saturday, November 27 for this FREE, two-day festival.
Enjoy a hayride, wine tasting, cookies and cocoa, music, live reindeer, Festival of Trees, Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k Dash or the Christmas Bazaar, kids' crafts, letters and visits with Santa. Come for the fun but stay for the parade, the lighting of the Christmas Tree and of course the sky will be ablaze with fireworks!
Be sure to take a bus ride around town to enjoy the lighted homes. Just some of the activities this historic yet active small town boasts for this event. Festival of Trees will feature trees decorated by local businesses and organizations.
Visitors will have the chance to win one of three trees that will be raffled off with proceeds going to the Giving Tree.
For more information, please visit http://www.historicdayton.com or call the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at 509-382-4825.
