MEDORA – The Medora Christmas Festival will start with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. this Friday in front of the library on Main Street.
There will be free Christmas cookies, carols by the Medora Pentecostal Church choir, and music from Derrek Foster.
On Saturday, there will be a flea market open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forty-five vendors will sell Christmas crafts, homemade candles, jewelry, barn quilts, and more. Food vendors will be selling fish sandwiches, elephant ears, funnel cakes, gourmet soups, and sandwiches along Main Street. Medora Wesleyan Church will be hosting a bake sale
There will also be a silent auction for a Blackstone grill.
Entertainment on the stage near the senior citizens building includes Jerry and Amber Henson from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., Donna and Wes Griffin from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., and Tapp’d Seymour from 11 a.m. until noon. At noon the 2021 festival prince and princess will be crowned. A boy and a girl from each class preschool through fifth grade at Medora STEM Academy are raising money, which will benefit the festival. The students were given cans to decorate and place at local businesses. Each penny earned is a vote. The one with the most votes wins.
The festival parade will step off at 1 p.m. Anyone can enter. Participants are asked to arrive at the former plastics factory parking lot along State Road 235 on the north end of town by noon for judging. No Santas can be entered in the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded for school/church float, private (business, organization, family, etc.) float, and walking unit for first, second and third places. Emergency vehicles, automobiles, and special features have a chance to win trophies, ribbons, and/or assorted prizes.
The parade will open with a prayer and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Morris Tippin. Paul Carr will serve as grand marshal.
After the parade, Selfies with Santa and Cookies with Mrs. Claus will be free at the senior citizens’ center.
The festival will close with the Christmas Ball from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Carr Township Conservation Club for ages 21 and older. It will feature an ugly Christmas sweater contest, door prizes, a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, and music from Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders. The cost is $10 per person, and tickets may be purchased from any festival committee member, at the State Bank of Medora or at the door.
The winner of the Carr Township holiday lights contest will be announced Saturday. The first-place winner will receive. $100, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.
