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BARNESVILLE -- The Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for holiday activities.
The annual tree lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 30. The tree lighting will be performed by the Barnesville preschool program. Barnesville High School Choir will be providing music for the event, and cookies and hot chocolate will be offered after the lighting at the Barnesville Senior Center.
The chamber is also hosting a decorating contest called 'Christmas in the Park,' which will start on Nov. 30 following the tree lighting ceremony.
Jill Hissom, director of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce, said this is the chamber's first time hosting Christmas in the Park.
"We're very excited," she said.
Hissom said that families, businesses and organizations will decorate trees or put up inflatables or lighted displays in the park. The displays will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. daily until Dec. 26.
Hissom said the displays might be taken down early if winter weather becomes a problem.
The chamber will post photos of each display on its Facebook page, and anyone can vote for their favorite display by liking the photo. The display with the most likes by Dec. 3 will receive $100 in 'Barnesville Gold,' which can be used at many local businesses. The winner will be announced Dec. 4.
"We want to add enjoyment for people in the area who might not be able to travel to see the lights," she said.
Hissom said she hopes to make it a yearly tradition.
Anyone who wishes to participate in the contest must contact the chamber to sign up by Monday.
From 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 30, the Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library, Barnesville Park and the chamber of commerce will provide children's activities and refreshments at the Barnesville Park Youth Center. Santa will also be visiting the center from 7-8 p.m.
Christmas in the Ville will take place Dec. 1-2. The annual event will feature vendors set up from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Bohandy building on 102 E. Main St.
A synthetic ice-skating rink will be open from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the West Main Street parking lot. The ice skating will be free to the public. The Barnesville Future Farmers of America program will have a tree stand in the parking lot by the ice rink.
Christmas in the Ville will also feature horse-drawn wagon rides outside of the Main Street Barrel House. Rides presented by Heaven Sent Farm will be available from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1-2 for a cost.
Hissom's Service Center Lighted Christmas Parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Lineup will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Barnesville High School.
Santa Claus will be at Johnson Family Pottery on East Main Street after the parade for pictures.
The Barnesville Future Farmers of America will also be hosting a square dance from 8-11 p.m. Dec. 2 at Barnesville Elementary School. All proceeds will benefit the FFA's Christmas Angels program, which will provide gifts for Barnesville students. Deep Down Country will be performing at the event.
For more information about any holiday events in Barnesville, visit the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce 'Christmas in the Ville' Facebook page. Hissom said that all information about Christmas events will be posted on that page.
"I wanted to keep all of the information in one place," she said.
The chamber can also be contacted at 740-425-4300. The chamber office is located at 130 W. Main St. in Barnesville and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. More can be found at barnesvilleohiochamber.com.