Christmas vibe takes over Dennison

Good people, great vendors, abundant children’s activities and smiling faces made for an undeniably wonderful holiday vibe throughout downtown Dennison last Saturday as crowds filled the streets to shop, eat and just have fun at the Christkindlmarket. The sunny weather and 50-degree temperatures helped too.

Attracting a happy crowd was the addition of three camels and other nativity animals including a miniature donkey, miniature Hereford cows and sheep.

“The camels love human interaction, they love people,” Riley Patterson said.

They also loved the grain and carrots, which were for sale to feed them. The animals were from Patterson Pony Rides, they also participate in other events locally and around the Findley area.

The Patterson Hope Express and The Little Roaming Railroad brought more smiles as they provided mini-train rides through the downtown.

Many children and adults enjoyed visiting the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum during their free community day. Visiting the museum for the first time was Josie Cannon, 6, and her brother, Jonah, 3, of Tuscarawas.

“We went to the Christkindlmarket previously when it was in Uhrichsville, but this is our first time at Dennison,” Jessica Cannon, the children’s mother, said. “They loved feeding the camels, we ate at Pangrazio’s and are making a day of it.”

The children didn’t have time to answer questions because they were busy completing the scavenger hunt at the depot.

The festival layout was improved since last year too. The main change was a new performance area with ample seating in front of the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum where many children’s groups performed throughout the day.

Performing at the new area were the Ave Maria Choir from Immaculate Conception School, the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Children’s Chorus, Indian Valley High School Cloud 9 choir, Studio S, Melody and Motion School of Performing Arts, Tuscarawas Central Catholic percussion, Lacey Performing Arts Center, and the Waterford Players and the Claymont Drama Club sang Christmas carols to end the day.

Entertainers at the Gazebo were Teddy Snyder, Kelsey Moore and Zac Rusk.

Mindy Norman of Dennison enjoyed watching her children skate at the skating rink. Her girls are former Michigan residents, who are used to skating on real ice and had a little trouble on the synthetic ice surface. The girls, Sarah, 7, Emma, 6, and Abigail, 3, made use of the variety of items at the rink used to help new skaters balance.

“We planned on doing some shopping, but the girls are keeping me busy,” Mindy Norman said.

Sisters Brandi Stevens of Tappan Lake and Breanna Maurer of Millersburg met up at the event this year. They enjoyed visiting while other family members took a break to make S’mores.

“We came last year and have made it an annual event,” Steven’s said.

Maurer loves the event so much she is willing to drive an hour from her home to attend.

Uhrichsville residents and twin sisters, Kyrstin and McKenzie Brindley, both 7, of Uhrichsville took advantage of the event’s mail a letter to Santa space. They drew pictures and put their letters in a mailbox by the depot. The family also visited the Christkindlmarket last year and enjoyed the event.

“It’s community and just seeing everybody. It feels like we’re inside a little Hallmark movie,” Amanda Brindley, the girl’s mother, said.

Organizers were pleased with the large turnout of visitors and the sense of togetherness and joy they observed throughout the day.

Dennison Depot officials were pleased with the nice turnout too for their Mistletoe Market gift shop which will continue throughout the season, check with the depot for dates and times.

Next up for busy Dennison is the Polar Express Train Rides at the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum beginning Dec. 4 The event is the only Polar Express Train ride in the state of Ohio.