Christmas activities kick into high gear Friday night in Warsaw with related events at the courthouse square and a few blocks away in Central Park.
The coordinated events include the first chance to see the Central Park holiday light display and related holiday activities at Center Lake Pavilion, and other activities near the courthouse.
Activities at Central Park run from 6 to 8 p.m, and are ushered in with the annual Twinkle Light Parade, which begins near Owen’s supermarket on West Center Street. It will then head east on Center to Indiana Street, where it will head north before it curves around a new portion of road that connects to Buffalo Street.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will ride in the parade and will then head over to Center Lake Pavilion.
The Central Park light display will include a new high-tech 21-foot Christmas tree near the Glover Pavilion in Central Park.
The “pixel tree” is programmable for customized patterns and messages, said Warsaw Parks and Recreation Superintendent Larry Plummer. “You’ll be able to see it from anywhere in the park, it’s so bright,” Plummer said.
The tree was acquired through donations, he said.
The entire Central Park display includes about 200,000 lights and 36 figurines spread throughout the park.
The light display will be turned on at 4 p.m. and there is no formal flipping of the switch.
Volunteers will hand out glow necklaces and direct children to the pavilion where there will be face painting, balloon artists and other activities, said Parks Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa.
Choirs from Madison, Jefferson and Eisenhower elementary schools will sing Christmas carols from the Glover Pavilion, she said.
Sponsors include Dennis Polk Equipment and Paragon Medical.
As part of First Friday activities, the Optimist Santa House at the courthouse will be open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and is a chance for children to visit with Santa, and share their hopes and dreams.
Santa will take a break at 6 p.m to join Mrs. Claus in the Twinkle Light Parade.
Carriage rides will be available to take people from City Hall down to Central Park to see the winter wonderland. The cost to ride is a donation of cash, canned food or dried food items. The event will be manned by Fellowship Missions.
First Friday events are sponsored by the Dr. Dane & Mary Louise Miller Foundation and the city of Warsaw.
