By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Sleet couldn’t keep shoppers from coming to downtown Bucyrus as the sidewalks became aglow with Christmas cheer Thursday night.
A Bucyrus tradition, Candlelight Christmas is an event in which luminaries light the sidewalks for shoppers who browse stores that are open looking for Christmas gifts.
Tonya Willow, who was shopping with her daughters Sophie and Emma at Authentiques talked about the draw of Candlelight Christmas.
“We come every year, because we love to try all the cookies, and usually they have someone playing over at the Pelican,” Willow said. “We always participate.”
“I try to come every year; I really like it. There are some really good deals to find,” Bucyrus resident Rachel Ison said.
Natalie Norman, whose business Norman’s Niche is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014, was handing out treats to passersby. She reflected upon Candlelight Christmas.
“I think it is a really neat idea we love to shop in Bucyrus,” Norman said. “We lived in Bucyrus all of our lives so this is fun. We have enjoyed it in the past, but this is our first year to participate in it, so it is exciting!”
While people are enjoying themselves at Candlelight Christmas, one item they may overlook is businesses helping each other. Michael Rossman, owner of Authentiques Antique Store, explained.
“We have got to help each other, you know together we stand divided we fall,” Rossman said. “For instance I have a representative from Creative Corners help pass out candy at the front of the store which helps get their name out to potential customers.”
Dean Heid of the HomeCare Matters of Crawford County explained his version of extending a helping hand with a cup full of Christmas cheer.
“We were going to offer cider and doughnuts like usual, however the Crawford County Arts Council asked to do an art show.”
With the art show on display, refreshments being served, and promoting new membership, The Crawford County Arts Council also used the space in front of the Crawford County HomeCare Matters building for an interactive art event, in which people decorated snowmen with recycled bottle caps.
Crawford County Arts Council Membership Chairman Sandy Laipply explained. “Once the snowmen are decorated they will be placed on display in front of Santa’s House for the rest of the season.”
As people maneuvered past each other in Norton’s Flowers, Stacee Lewis explained what her employer was doing to make the night special for those shoppers who came in. “We are offering hot chocolate, and calendars for free. People will call ahead for the calendars, but we don’t offer them until tonight.”
“The calendars feature special arrangements representing each month,” co-worker Stacey Ricker added.
Shopping wasn’t the only event happening during Candlelight Christmas. There were horse drawn carriage rides taking customers on a cruise through the streets, as well entertainment at The Pelican House with United in Harmony singing Christmas carols followed by the Bucyrus City Band.
People were taken back to 1 A.D. on Warren Street as the Bucyrus Neighborhood Churches paid homage to the Christmas story complete with a recreation of the city of Bethlehem
For a photo gallery of Candlelight Christmas check out the photos section of www.crawfordcountynow.com.