A flashback to Christmases on Main past

Christmas on Main 2009 is this Friday!

For the Republican

The Heart of Rushville proudly presents “Christmas on Main 2009” and event organizers are in the process of making this Christmas in downtown Rushville a salute to Christmases past.

This year’s event will be a two-day celebration, kicking off at 6 p.m. Friday, with Santa’s Parade of Lights. Santa will then “light up Willkie Park.”

Vendors along with downtown merchants will offer specials, extended store hours and holiday open houses during this time. Vendor set-up begins at 4 p.m.

Vendors interested in booth space may contact Sandy Fussner at sami.f@verizon.net.

"We're really hoping to get a lot of artisans, bakers, those with home businesses, clubs, any and all to come out and pack Main Street," Fussner said. "I'd love for people to be able to find some unique gifts without having to leave their hometown to do it."

Booth space is just $10 and must be prepaid.

The 2nd Annual Sponsor-A-Light campaign is currently underway. Tags to be self-personalized are available for sale at Dyer Insurance, Elizabeth’s Keepsakes & Deli and the Rushville Pharmacy (all on Main Street) for $3 apiece. Tags will be displayed throughout the holiday season on the official Christmas Tree of Rushville in Willkie Park. Tags will also be on sale during the Christmas on Main event.

Although the event will be held outdoors, the Heart is offering a unique and seasonal way to keep patrons warm. "Warming Stations" — covered fire pits — will line Main Street, creating a holiday ambiance as well as a heat source. Carriage rides also will be offered, and the Rush County Players will stroll Main Street caroling, dressed in Dickens-style costuming.

Santa's Parade of Lights, organized by Sandra Coons, is set to be a one-of-a-kind event and will hopefully set the standard for future holiday parades. The parade will depart from Main Street Christian Church at 6 p.m. Anyone and everyone interested in participating is strongly encouraged to deck out their floats, cars, trucks, tractors, etc. with Christmas lights and decor.

Once Santa and the parade entourage arrive at Willkie Park, Santa will press his magic button to literally light up Willkie Park like never before! Christmas songs will be performed and Santa will entertain visits from those on the “nice” list in Santa’s house in the park. Pictures with the jolly old fella will be $5 and will be taken at Santa’s house on Friday night.

And in the spirit of Christmases celebrated on Main Street’s past, the celebration will continue through Saturday! The morning will kick off with a breakfast hosted in conjunction with the St. Mary’s PTA beginning at 8 a.m. in the 201 Building.

The 201 will also be the site of a special “Holiday Kid’s Zone” hosted by the Rushville Chamber of Commerce and Heart of Rushville. Christmas stories with Miss Jan of the Rushville Public Library, crafts and holiday movies on a 72” high definition TV provided by Aaron’s Rental will give the little ones plenty to do after munching on the most important meal of the day with Santa.

This year also will mark the inaugural Christmas on Main coloring contest, sponsored in part by Rushville Walmart. Coloring books sponsored by local businesses will be distributed to children during Saturday’s Holiday Kids’ Zone. Works of art colored on Saturday may be submitted for entry into a drawing to win prizes based on grade level, as well as a grand prize drawing for a bicycle. Santa will select the winner on Saturday afternoon. If your business is interested in sponsoring a page, contact Elizabeth Gist at liz.gist@gmail.com, or 561-2775.

Pictures with Santa on Saturday will be offered in front of a festive holiday scene, complete with a beautifully decorated tree donated by Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm of Arlington that will again be raffled off at the 201 Building. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and will be sold on both Friday and Saturday. The winner will be notified by phone.

Children will be able to fill out forms to have Santa send them a letter. For just $5, a personalized letter from the North Pole will be sent to your child just in time for the holidays.

The 3rd Annual Christmas on Main Snow Prince and Princess will reign over the festivities and get the royal treatment as well. The contest is open to boys and girls, ages 5 to 10. The goal is to collect as much non-perishable food as possible for the Rush County Community Food Pantry. The boy and girl who gather the most goods will be crowned the 2009 Snow Prince and Princess. The deadline is 8 p.m. Wednesday. Canned goods may be brought to the 201 Building on North Main Street on that evening, where quantities will be counted by Heart of Rushville volunteers. The winners will be crowned that night. The Snow Prince and Princess will get to ride on Santa's sleigh in the parade and serve as Santa's little helpers during the tree-lighting ceremony. They will also be the first to sit on Santa's lap, and receive both a free picture with Santa and a free letter from Santa.

Activities and entertainment were still being confirmed at press time, but Odum’s Feed Barn also will be hosting a “petting zoo” as well as holiday cotton candy.

“So often, we hear grumblings about how ‘downtown Rushville just isn’t what it used to be,’” Heart of Rushville Christmas on Main chair Elizabeth Gist said. “We really want to turn that attitude around this year. We really have an outstanding merchant base full of people who really just want the best for their community and really give it their all, and we want to bring Christmas on Main back to the way it used to be!”

"We just really want this event to be as special as it should be," Heart of Rushville chairman Mike Pavey said. "The planning process has been an inspiring process with everyone downtown and Heart volunteers really stepping up. I hope that families and those in the community come out and support their efforts and support and celebrate our historic and beautiful downtown."

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