NEW KNOXVILLE – “Christmas In The Village” comes to New Knoxville December 4th, from 11 am to 2 pm. What is unique about the festival is that everyone gets to use modern day technology to help memorialize the holiday’s traditional activities.
The “Click A Pic” photo contest will allow festival goers to take selfies at each stop then upload them to the “New Knoxville Christmas In The Village” Facebook page. Activities range from free hay wagon rides, visits with Santa Claus, hot chocolate stops, face-painting and more. The winning photos could receive one of the $10 to $25 gift certificates.
Carolyn Bock, committee member of “New Knoxville Christmas In The Village”, said that the photo contest was the brain child of Main Street Station owner Kate Gottschalk. “She arranged for each business to have a photo opportunity site,” said Bock, “and a QR reader station so people can snap their pic, then scan the QR code to submit photos to the festival Facebook page.”
Bock said there will be many activities worthy of photo-sharing all along the Village’s Main Street.
It begins with Breakfast With Santa, a ticketed event, to be held from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 444.
From 10:30 to 11 a.m., Santa will start traveling up and down Main Street via a Fleet Safety Services vehicle. At Fleet Safety Services office, Santa will be available to hear children’s holiday wishes and visitors can enjoy the Polar Express.
Free wagon rides, hosted by Baumbauer Fertilizer and Seed and NKTelco, will leave from the New Knoxville public parking lot and end at NKTelco for hot chocolate.
Commemorating their 25th anniversary, the Village Market and Deli will have wine, bourbon and craft beer tasting while musician Andy Klosterman plays holiday music. Down the street, Main Street Station will have cookie decorating kits and a state championship raffle.
The Grinch will make an appearance at Katterheinrich Chevrolet, who in partnership with New Knoxville Supply, will show that “kids should not be scared,” said Bock, “because this is the Grinch who’s heart has grown 3 times its size.”
Klosterman Dirt Worx will feature coloring activities, while Erica Lee Photo and Chaney Cycle Services will offer raffle opportunities as well as treats. The New Knoxville library will have a craft for kids to do, while the First Church of New Knoxville and United Methodist Church will have treats and entertainment with church bells. The two churches will also host a Bake Sale Extravaganza.
At the fire department, there will be face-painting, while next door the New Knoxville Town Hall will host chalk drawing and have a drop box for letters to Santa Claus. Johanna’s Barber and Beauty Salon will have an open house and raffles.
Katterheinrich Law and Miltner Reed will have holiday photo opportunities at their outside holiday decorations.
“While you are walking down the street,” said Bock, “make sure to hear caroling by the New Knoxville High School Choir, made possible by the German Farmers Mutual Insurance.”
Bock said special thanks go to the sponsors of the “Click A Pic” contest, which include Metzger Maintenance and Contracting, Hoge Lumber, Allen Construction, and First National Bank.
Maps to find all the Christmas activities can be found at any of the participating businesses.
Bock said, “None is this is a selling or promotion event. Our local businesses just saw the need to give back to the community.”
