Tree lighting, parade to highlight weekend in Greencastle

Greencastle-Antrim Heritage Christmas activities will continue with a big weekend that includes the tree lighting and the parade.

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 18 on the Greencastle square. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music by VerStandig Broadcasting and the opportunity to tour window displays. Jack Gaughen will be supplying popcorn with the Exchange Club of Greencastle serving hot chocolate and cookies.

Two Nuts and a Bolt will be entertaining the crowd. Joining them will be characters dressed in Victorian attire along with actors and actresses from the G-AHS Drama Club production of Christmas Crisis at Mistletoe Mesa to be held the same evening in the high school auditorium at 8 p.m. A bagpiper will also join the festivities. Santa's Elves will be passing around bells in preparation for the tree lighting.

At 7 p.m. the town crier will officially make his decree to open the ceremony.  Dr. Greg Hoover will perform the master of ceremony duties. The program will feature choral music, a sing-a-long and the official lighting of the Christmas tree.  

The next day the Greencastle-Antrim Christmas Parade begins at 9:21 a.m.  Santa will make an appearance and unveil the “Santa’s Mail Box” to be put on the square that morning.

Goodie bags will be distributed to children following the parade.  The treats are supplied by the Lions Club of Greencastle.

The parade route starts on Ridge Avenue onto Baltimore Street and continues to Center Square and then south on Carlisle Street. The units will disband at the American Legion.

“No parking” signs will be posted along East Baltimore Street and Ridge Avenue to make room for easier viewing by spectators. “No parking” signs will also be posted on East Franklin, Addison and Rowe streets so parade units can line up.

This year marks the 26th annual event sponsored by WAYZ/WBHB/WPPT/WCBG.

SCOUT COLLECTION: To help those who have less than others, Cub Scout Pack 95 of Shady Grove will again be collecting food items during the parade. Parade watchers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the parade and Scouts will collect them as they march in the parade. Donated items will be given to the local food bank.