By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
Downtown Bucyrus looked like a Hallmark movie on Thursday night as the city’s Candlelight Christmas festival returned to Sandusky Avenue. The event – co-hosted by the Bucyrus Tourism & Visitors Bureau and Crawford County Chamber of Commerce – transformed the historic district into a winter wonderland with horse-drawn carriage rides, an outdoor skating rink, a Santa parade and a tree-lighting ceremony.
Parade and Tree Lighting
Santa Parade: At 6 p.m., the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club sent its traditional Santa Parade rolling north from City Hall. Floats decorated with twinkling lights, marching bands playing holiday music and local businesses lined up along Sandusky Avenue to spread cheer. Children were encouraged to bring bags to collect candy tossed from parade participants, and Santa Claus himself made an appearance on the route.
Tree lighting & story time: After the parade, crowds gathered in Schines Art Park for the community Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, sponsored by Altrusa International of Bucyrus. Mrs. Claus read a holiday story to children, and every child received a copy of the book. The ceremony underscored the festival’s emphasis on family and literacy.
Free Activities Before the Parade
Horse-drawn carriage rides: Forge Fire provided free horse-drawn carriage rides from 5–8 p.m. at Schines Art Park. Families lined up early to snuggle under blankets and ride through the lit downtown streets.
Ice-skating rink: A synthetic ice-skating rink in Washington Square, sponsored by Farmers Citizens Bank, let visitors glide or wobble across the “ice.” The free rink operated from 5–8 p.m.
Additional events: The festival wasn’t just about the parade. Several institutions opened their doors or hosted special activities:
- The Bucyrus Public Library stayed open from 5–7 p.m. for crafts, games, cocoa, popcorn and photos with the Grinch.
- Bucyrus Veterinary Services hosted Pet Pictures with Santa from 3–5 p.m.
- The Crawford County Art Center offered an ornament-making class and free card-making from 5–8 p.m.
- The Bucyrus Historical Society held an open house at The Scroggs House with food, music and historical displays.
Downtown Shopping and Refreshments
Local merchants embraced the festive spirit. Norton’s Flowers hosted an open house honoring Sue Stander, and shops like Print Happier, Pelican Coffee House, Ley’s Jewelry and the Bratwurst Festival office remained open late. Food vendors set up along the sidewalks and at Millennium Park, serving seasonal treats and hot drinks. Luminaria lined the sidewalks, and Christmas carolers added to the ambience.
Candlelight Christmas is one of Bucyrus’ signature winter events. It brings residents together to support downtown businesses, showcase local talent and celebrate the season. By providing free attractions such as carriage rides and ice skating, the festival makes holiday traditions accessible to families of all income levels. Thursday’s festival once again demonstrated Bucyrus’ commitment to community spirit, tradition and togetherness.
The event kicks off a month of holiday happenings in Bucyrus. Vendors and businesses will continue seasonal promotions, and Santa’s House at Schines Art Park will be open on select evenings leading up to Christmas. Residents can check the Bucyrus Tourism & Visitors Bureau website or social media for a full schedule of December events.
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