Visitors to uptown Hillsboro can enjoy a number of festive activities Friday with the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association’s (HUBA) Uptown Christmas.
On Dec. 2 from 5-8 p.m. Santa Claus and some of his elves will visit with youngsters in Santa’s Workshop, situated in the community room at The Times-Gazette offices (108 Gov. Trimble Place). It is free, HUBA President Joe Mahan said, and people should bring their own cameras because a photographer will not be provided.
Also during those hours, a horse-drawn wagon will take people on rides, during which they can enjoy festive sing-a-longs. The rides are free. The horse-drawn wagon will depart and drop off in front of the Highland County Administration Building on Governor Foraker Place.
Uptown businesses will be open until 8 p.m., too, with some of them offering treats like a reindeer antler giveaway. At another shop youngsters can make reindeer food, and at another shop they can enjoy making a Grinch-themed craft, Mahan said. At another business kids can write letters to Santa, he said, and at the Highland County Visitor’s Bureau at 130 S. High St. there will be a coloring activity. The Christmas gift shop at the Highland House Museum will be open, too.
And if the Christmas decorations, the Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn, and Santa and his workshop are not enough holiday merrymaking, there should be Christmas carolers strolling around as well, Mahan said.
He encouraged everyone to come to uptown Hillsboro on Friday to “shop, eat, and enjoy,” and to “definitely bring the family and the kids.”
“It’s our way of giving back,” Mahan said of the event, and it is a great way to get people to come to uptown Hillsboro.
On the morning of Dec. 10 there is another HUBA event, and this one is raising funds for the Highland County Adopt-A-Family program.
It is the Ugly Sweater 5K Walk/Run and it begins at 10 a.m. Participants are invited to come to the event in their “best” ugly Christmas sweater, according to an event flier.
Members of the Hillsboro High School Student Council will be on hand during the event with items like hot chocolate for sale.
All proceeds from the event will go to Highland County Adopt-A-Family.
As previously reported, registration forms can be picked up and returned at TwentyFour Exchange and Appearances Salon up to the day of the 5K. Registration for the event is $5.
Another HUBA event coming up on Dec. 10 is the Hillsboro Christmas Parade. The lighted event begins at 6 p.m. from the Highland County Fairgrounds and has an expected arrival time of around 6:20 p.m. in the center of uptown Hillsboro. This year’s parade theme is “A Dr. Seuss Christmas.”
Mahan said HUBA is accepting parade applications through Monday, Dec. 5. Any groups, businesses, church, organizations or families that would like to be in the parade can call Mahan at 937-403-3715 for an application. Also contact Mahan for more information about any of HUBA’s upcoming events.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
