Festival of Lights – Kent

NEW DATE –

presented by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held in traditional fashion by the Main Street Bridge and gazebo at the corner of Main Street and Franklin Avenue.

The festive sounds of the Theodore Roosevelt High School ACEs choir will open the festival by the gazebo at 5:30 PM as the children (and kids at heart) eagerly await Santa’s arrival. Accompanied by Kent’s Mayor Jerry Fiala, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving by train at 6:00 PM and after greeting the crowd, the trio will lead the community in a countdown to “light up downtown” with the festive glow of holiday lighting to officially kick off the holiday season in Kent.

Dressed in Victorian fashion, the Dickens Carolers from The Light in Kent will entertain the crowd with their favorite holiday songs while the children line up to visit with Santa. Santa’s elves (the Theodore Roosevelt High School cheer squad) will be there to help direct the children to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be seated inside the gazebo where they will have the opportunity to share their Christmas wishes and have a family member take a photograph. Afterwards, families will receive a copy of the book, Over and Under the Snow, courtesy of the Chamber Books for Kids Program (while supplies last). The program is a collaborative effort between the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kent Free Library and Kent State University Libraries.The cost of the books is paid for by generous donations received from community members and businesses, and others.