The City of Dublin sure knows how to welcome the holidays with fanfare. On Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, the community will come together for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 62 W. Bridge St. in Historic Dublin.

The festivities are a joint production between the city and the Historic Dublin Business Association (HDBA). The kick-off to the holiday season begins with Mayor Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher and members of Dublin City Council greeting the crowd as it gathers around the tree.

The Dublin Singers will perform carols and serenade the arrival of Santa Claus on a Washington Township fire truck.

After Santa arrives, he’ll help the mayor and council members light the tree, which will be decorated this year in white lights and red ornaments.

The color schemes were chosen during the event’s planning process, which typically begins in August.

“We went through several rounds of different colors schemes and decided this one – red and white – would be the most attractive for that ‘wow’ factor,” says Dana Henry, events administrator with the City of Dublin.

Columbus-based Light Before Christmas is designing the tree, which stays lit through New Year’s Day.

Once the area is aglow with good tidings and cheer, attendees can walk to the Dublin Branch Library via a luminary-lit pathway, where Santa will pose for photos and take wish list requests from children. This year’s photos will be free, a new component to the event compliments of the HDBA.

“It’s a way for the HDBA to give back to the community, which is what we believe in,” says Eric Leslie, the association’s board president.

Also new this year is storytelling provided by library staff members. While children wait in line for photos, they can enjoy holiday-themed stories, as well as refreshments including hot cocoa.

“It’s important to keep the kids engaged and interested while they’re waiting and I think storytelling is the perfect way to do that. We want this to be a smooth and easy event for both the kids and the parents,” Leslie says.

Perhaps the most exciting addition to this year’s event is the cameo appearance of Santa’s reindeer, traveling from Pine Acres Reindeer Farm owned by Dan and Linda Downs of LaRue.

“When I was talking to Santa and planning the event, he suggested it would be interesting to introduce the children to some of his live reindeer. We thought it would be a fun and unique element for kids and adults alike,” Henry says.

Dublin’s holiday hoopla doesn’t end there. On Saturday from 12:30-4 p.m. Dec. 5, the seventh annual Historic Dublin Chili Cook Off takes place at three locations throughout the city – Dublin Village Tavern, J. Liu and La Chatelaine.

“We specifically time the chili cook off with the city’s holiday kick off, but we plan it on Saturday so families with children can come out and spend the entire day in the district,” Leslie says.

At each of the three locations, five chili recipes, made by participating residents, are tasted and voted on by the public. The favorite at each location moves on to the final round, which is at La Chatelaine this year. There, three guest judges pick the winning recipe, which is expected to be announced at 4:15 p.m.

“This is something we’ve done for awhile because we just believe it’s a good experience for the community. It’s a way to bring people together, share food, browse the district and shop,” Leslie says.

To encourage holiday shopping, a “universal coupon card” will be available on the business association’s Web site prior to the event.

For more information on either the tree lighting or chili cook off events, visit www.brihidistrict.org or www.dublin.oh.us.  

Alicia Kelso is a contributing editor for Dublin Life.


When you go …
Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 3, 6-8:30 p.m., 62 W. Bridge St.
Includes photos with Santa, live reindeer, storytelling and refreshments

Seventh Annual Historic Dublin Chili Cook Off
Dec. 5, 12:30-4 p.m.
Dublin Village Tavern, J. Liu and La Chatelaine
- The finale is at 4:15 p.m. at La Chatelaine