Main Street Vermilion is hosting its annual Light Up Vermilion from 5-9 p.m., Dec. 1, in the city’s historic downtown.
Kate Repola, executive director of Main Street Vermilion, said the nonprofit specializes in providing the community with events and attractions.
Light Up Vermilion is in its ninth season of providing the community with an evening of old-fashioned holiday fun — free of charge, Repola said.
“We like to say that we bring people downtown,” she said. “You feel like you’ve stepped back in time to enjoy the holidays.”
The event will start at 5 p.m., and eventgoers are encouraged to stop at Main Street Vermilion, 685 Main St., to receive a goodie bag of various informational materials.
There, they also can find a special mailbox for letters to Santa, Repola said.
“We encourage people to stop into our Main Street office first, receive a gift bag full of the night’s activities,” she said. “As well as ballots to vote for their favorite window displays, a little bit more about Main Street and our mission, and what we do as well as a place to start their shopping.”
At 6 p.m., Santa will arrive at Exchange Park, 607 Main St., to help Mayor Jim Forthofer count down to the tree lighting.
“He also brings toys for the children that are attending the event as well,” Repola said.
Main Street Vermilion works with local businesses and organizations to make the event successful, she said.
“As a part of our mission, we collaborate with other community organizations, such as the Rotary and Kiwanis, and they provide hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and fun prizes for the kids,” Repola said.
Local shops and restaurants will stay open late for eventgoers to enjoy dining and shopping, she said.
“It’s a whole evening of holiday fun,” Repola said. “It’s with your family and friends, and it’s just really an old-fashioned kind of way to really kick off the holidays.”
Main Street Vermilion is a part of National Main Street Movement and a member of Heritage Ohio.
“Our missions include community collaboration, preservation and economic development among other things of our historic downtown,” Repola said.
One goal the organization has, she said, is to showcase the city all times of the year.
Vermilion, like many cities on Lake Erie, is home to warm summers and frigid winters.
“We really like to remind folks that Vermilion is a year-round destination,” said Repola, “so we do events all year round.”
For example, the organization will bring back Ice A Fair on Feb. 3, Repola said.
Ice A Fair features an array of ice sculptures sponsored by local businesses and organizations.
“It brings thousands of people downtown in February to shop and eat locally,” Repola said.
