COLUMBUS – Another sign that the Christmas season has begun in central Ohio is the annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at the Ohio Statehouse.
This year’s celebration will take place on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The program in the Statehouse Atrium consists of a short ceremony in which Governor Mike DeWine will give introductory remarks, light the historically decorated tree and welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus.
A free photo station will provide family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Holiday Festival continues with a wide range of arts and crafts, special performances by local choirs and dancers from OhioDance and Drake Dance Academy, mascots, complimentary cookies and more.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will demonstrate its K-9 unit.
Musical performers include Annehurst Elementary School, from Westerville; John Glenn High School, from New Concord; Pickerington North High School, from Pickerington; and the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
Craft and activity stations are sponsored by many local organizations and government agencies.
The City of Dublin will also celebrate its traditional Tree Lighting in Riverside Crossing Park, 6635 Riverside Drive from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday
In Westerville a nearly 50-foot-tall Norway Spruce is ready for the city’s 2022 Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting event Friday from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at City Hall, 21 S. State Street.