By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Galion community got into the Christmas festivities Saturday with the annual Come Home to Galion celebration.
With numerous activities to help get people into the Christmas spirit in Uptowne Galion including Gilding at the Gills House, ice carvings, and carriage rides, the event culminated with the Come Home to Galion Parade and Christmas tree lighting.
Allison Twigg attended the parade with family and explained what she enjoys most about the event.
“The parade is really awesome. I think it gets better every year they have different things, but they keep the traditional stuff the same.” Twigg said. “My favorite part would have to be the horses and how they have the carriages and everything, you don’t really see it every day, and it is really awesome to see that once a year.”
Beginning at 4 p.m. the parade started at Heise Park and traveled down Harding Way East finishing at South Columbus Street.
Melanie Wheeler who has participated in Come Home to Galion Parade in the past was a bystander with her father, Tom, and mother, Marci Wheeler.
“My favorite part is the candy and everything” Melanie said.
“She’s usually in the parade, she just happens to not be in it for the first time,” Marci Wheeler said.
The Wheelers were in agreement that their overall favorite part of the festivities was Santa Claus arriving.
Santa waited until the end of the parade to make his appearance. Although the jolly old elf didn’t come in on a sleigh guided by reindeer, he still arrived in style by way of Engine 105 of the Galion Fire Department.
Following the parade the crowd congregated towards the city square to await the lighting of the Christmas tree. Prior to lighting the tree Christmas carols were sung as well as the story of the first Christmas was told.