Sunday, December 1, 2019

Ashland Prepares to Celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas

Community members took advantage of the nice weather to prepare to celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas.

On Saturday afternoon, members of the Ashland Rotary Club and Washington Fire Department were busy putting the finishing touches on the 2019 Ashland Christmas Tree.

Rotary President Joann Birster said the tree is over 25 feet tall was donated by Jack Jones, of Ashland, and owner of the Winterwalk.

The Washington Fire Department used their ladder truck to place the star, hang lights, and hang ornaments on the tree that were compliments of the youth group of the Good Shepherd Lutheran  Church.

An official tree lighting of the tree will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 during the Old Fashioned Christmas.

This year, the Old Fashioned Christmas will be a coordinated effort by 3 borough organizations.

The day will begin with a Ginger Bread House Contest from 10 AM - 12 PM at the Ashland American Legion. All materials will be provided, but registrants must register in teams of 2 (1 member must be age 14 and below, and the other team member 15 and up. The entrance fee is $10.00/ team

Registration is limited to 20 and Registration forms can be obtained by contacting President Birster at 570-875-2745 or 570-590-1140.

The annual Santa Parade will begin @ 2:30 @ 21st and Walnut Street and will proceed down Walnut to 3rd Street. Santa will light the community tree and then proceed to the Mothers Memorial and hear the children's wishes.

Starting at 5PM there will be free carriage rides, caroling by Ashland Area Community Choir and Lutheran Church, face painting, crafts,  a taste of holiday Wassail with a cup cake, hot dog, hot cocoa, hot coffee and popcorn.

At 6:15pm a reading of the NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS will ne done.

At 7:30pm, the awards will be announced for Gingerbread House Contest, Borough house decorating winners, and 50/50 prize winner from the Historical Society.