Medina’s 41st Candlelight Walk brings parade, tree lighting and holiday magic Nov. 21-23

The city is ready to ring in the holiday season once again with its 41st annual Candlelight Walk, which will take place Nov. 21-23 in Medina’s Historic District. As in years past, it will include shopping opportunities, musical performances, the Holiday Parade of Lights, a tree lighting ceremony and, of course, a chance for kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Coordinator Linda Loveless said the annual tradition began as an initiative by local merchants and the city to celebrate the start of the holiday season and promote the downtown district.

“While the exact date of the first walk isn’t stated, its history is tied to the revitalization efforts of Medina’s historic district, which started with the formation of the Uptown Business Partnership in 2000,” she said. “The event has grown into a major annual event, currently celebrating its 41st year and featuring a tree lighting, parade, shopping and fireworks.”

Loveless said the event grew out of efforts to revitalize the city’s Public Square, starting in the late 1960s and continuing with the establishment of the Uptown Business Partnership. It is now a collaborative effort between Main Street Medina and the city’s service and parks departments.

While many of the free activities that have been part of the Candlelight Walk for years will return, several new attractions are planned this year.

“Licursi Creations will be bringing a Grinch photo opportunity on Friday (Nov. 21) and Sunday (Nov. 23),” Loveless said. “Frosty and Crystal will be doing a meet-and-greet at the Haddad Theatre while ‘Frosty’s Winter Wonderland’ plays on the screen on Saturday (Nov. 22). Weather permitting, we have a giant snow globe photo opportunity with a performer doing aerialist tricks on Saturday.”

Visitors will also be able to see and hear musical performances by local choirs and ensembles. Medina High School’s Encore show choir and the Melody Makers from the Davis Parks School of the Arts will lead caroling around the square on Saturday, while the Project 16 Holiday Dance Team will perform on Sunday. Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” will also perform and host a meet-and-greet Sunday.

When the Candlelight Walk kicks off Friday night, outgoing Mayor Dennis Hanwell and members of Medina City Council will present the annual tree lighting ceremony before the Medina Chorus leads visitors in singing Christmas carols.

On Saturday, the Holiday Parade of Lights will leave the Medina High School parking lot at 5:30 p.m. and reach the square around 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6:30 p.m. before the Candlelight Walk’s annual fireworks show begins at 6:45 p.m., weather permitting.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, visitors at Serenite Restaurant can enjoy breakfast with Santa. From noon to 2 p.m., guests can also get up close to live reindeer from Spring Mist Farms on Broadway Street.

A complete schedule of activities for this year’s Candlelight Walk can be found at mainstreetmedina.com.

Whether visitors are attending for the first time or the 41st, Loveless said she hopes families spend this special time of year in Medina.

“Maybe it’ll start a tradition for their family, or they will feel the love and pride that our small businesses, service organizations, nonprofits, city of Medina employees and residents all feel about this community, and that they will want to come back to see more of what we have to offer throughout the year,” she said. “We have the most amazing square with unique retail shops and amazing restaurants right here that we know they will fall in love with.”

Free shuttle buses will run throughout the Medina Candlelight Walk weekend, offering convenient transportation to and from the Public Square. Three color-coded routes — Green, Red and Gold — will operate from key parking locations to stops around the downtown district, making it easy for visitors to enjoy the festivities without worrying about parking.

A full, detailed schedule of this weekend's events can be found at www.mainstreetmedina.com/candlelight-walk.html.