Dalton Holidays Festival announces 2025 theme, grand marshal and full weekend of events

The Dalton Holidays Festival Committee has announced plans for the 49th annual Dalton Holidays Festival, which will take place Dec. 6-7. This year’s theme is “'Tis the Season to be Freezin’.”

The celebration will begin Tuesday, Dec. 2 with village and business lighting judging at 6 p.m. Festivities will officially kick off Friday, Dec. 5 with the downtown holiday gathering from 5-7:30 p.m. The evening will include caroling, a 50/50 raffle and a community open house at local businesses. At 7:30 p.m. the annual crowning and presentations will take place at Village Hall, where the festival’s new royalty, Citizen of the Year and grand marshal will be honored.

This year’s grand marshal is Tina Ramsier, who has been recognized for her contributions to the Dalton community. Ramsier will be formally introduced during the Friday evening program at Village Hall.

Festival activities will continue throughout the weekend. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Rotary breakfast will be served from 7-10 a.m. at Dalton Presbyterian Church. The Festival Craft Show will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dalton High School, featuring visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus’ Pantry, a 50/50 raffle, and displays and voting for the Gingerbread House Contest. The grand parade will step off at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the celebration will continue with a Boy Scout ham dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dalton High School, followed by another session of the Festival Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at the high school. Guests can again visit Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ Pantry, participate in the raffle and view the Gingerbread House Contest displays. The day’s activities will wrap up with turkey bowling at 2 p.m. and the final 50/50 drawing at 3 p.m.

Royalty applications open

Applications are being accepted for queen, snow princess, little miss snowflake and Jack Frost. Queen candidates must be between the age of 15 and 19 and either live in Dalton or attend Dalton Local, Green Local, Southeast Local, Tuslaw Local, Fairless Local, Orrville City or Chippewa Local schools. Princess applicants must be age 10-14 and attend any of the above schools or live in Dalton. Little miss snowflake and Jack Frost contestants must be age 6-9 and either live in Dalton or attend Dalton Local Schools.

Applications are due Nov. 7, and forms can be requested by emailing dhfroyalty@gmail.com. A mandatory informational meeting will be held Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. at Dalton Presbyterian Church. Judging will take place Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at Dalton Presbyterian Church. The crowning ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall during the Dalton Business Open House.

Gingerbread House Contest

The festival will again feature its fourth annual Gingerbread House Contest, open to both children and adults. More information is still to come.

Community involvement

Those interested in joining the festival committee or volunteering can connect through the Dalton Holidays Festival Facebook page or email daltonholidaysfestival@gmail.com. Additional information and updates can be found at www.daltonholidaysfestival.org.