Lions Club to add holiday spirit with tree lighting event
The large fir tree outside the Holmes County Courthouse in Millersburg will be officially lit up during a tree lighting ceremony by the Millersburg Lions on Nov. 23. There will be hot chocolate and coffee, and the community is invited to celebrate.
The Millersburg Lions Club has long been known to add plenty of flair to the holiday season in Historic Downtown Millersburg.
The organization has participated in the annual event of placing the lighting displays throughout the downtown area for the holiday season, and on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn, the Lions invite the public to join them for the annual tree lighting ceremony next to the Holmes County Courthouse.
While the Lions will have hung their snowflakes and decorated the light poles along the main square prior to the event, the official lighting of the giant fir tree on the north side of the courthouse will officially signify the welcoming of the holidays to HDM.
“Celebrating the arrival of Christmas and the lighting up of the downtown area is something that we as a Lions Club really look forward to because we know how much joy it brings to people,” said Dale Obringer, Lions Club president.
Obringer said people ask the Lions why they opt to place the lights as early as they do, and Obringer said there’s one simple reason.
“We don’t like being out doing it when it’s too cold,” he said. “No, really it’s about creating a mood and getting people into the Christmas spirit. Everyone likes that, and it really does add some nice beauty to Historic Downtown Millersburg during the holiday season.”
The event will be highlighted by the lighting of the Christmas tree but also will include plenty of other activities including free coffee and hot chocolate and Christmas carols.
In addition, the event will share the spotlight with HDM’s Merry Millersburg event and Chocolate Walk, which also will take place during that time, with those events taking place from 1-7 p.m.
The Millersburg Lions, known for their humanitarian effort to provide eyeglasses to those in need, also are recognized in the community as doing far more than that, finding ways to meet the needs of people whenever they arise.
From providing a talking device to a local student and providing funds for a local man who needed surgery with support from the district Lions Club International to Share-A-Christmas, the veterans banner project in HDM and many other projects, the Lions Club has stepped up and delivered for many years.
“Our aim is to support our community,” Obringer said.
This time that support will be turning on the electricity and lighting up the courthouse tree during a special Nov. 23 ceremony that will help usher in the holiday season.