Minerva’s Downtown Wonderland to kick off holidays Dec. 6

Minerva’s historic North Market Street will be transformed into a Downtown Wonderland Saturday, Dec. 6, from 3–6 p.m., featuring free Christmas treats, crafts, activities, music and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas parade will step off at 3 p.m. from Minerva Elementary School, travel up Bonnieview to Line Street to North Market Street and end in the Minerva Schools bus garage parking lot.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive with the parade and then hear Christmas wishes and pose for free photos in the Roxy Theatre at 114 N. Market St. Photography, printing and mailing services will be donated by Real Integrity Real Estate Services agent Brandy Berry.

Treat trees sponsored by area businesses and organizations will line the street and be filled with goodies for children. The trees will remain covered until after the parade and are intended for children only. Parents are asked to limit their children to one treat per tree.

The Minerva Community Band will perform at 2:30 p.m., followed by the East Canton High School Choir at 3:30 p.m. and the Minerva High School Choir at 4 p.m.

Hot chocolate, cookies, s’mores and other snacks will be available throughout downtown. Walker’s Café will provide free hot dogs and hot chocolate for kids. Additional activities include cookie decorating sponsored by Kishman’s IGA; an ice-carving demonstration; bowling sponsored by Minerva Bowl; a take-your-own photo booth; face painting and temporary Christmas tattoos; make-and-take crafts from the Minerva Public Library; letter writing to Santa; a scavenger hunt; train rides from Minerva FFA; free books from the Minerva Teachers Association; and a Christmas card tree from Minerva Mission. A map of all activities will be available the day of the event and on Facebook.

Each Minerva Elementary student is encouraged to find his ornament on the village Christmas tree or downtown.

Free raffle tickets will be distributed to children during the event. One child will win a sled full of toys donated by Real Integrity Real Estate Services and the opportunity to light the Christmas tree with Santa in Mayor’s Park at Main and West Line streets. The winning ticket will be drawn after caroling at the tree, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The winner must be present.

For more information, contact the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce at 330-868-7979 or nathan.meadows@minervachamber.org.