MEDORA — The 51st Medora Christmas Festival will take place on Friday.
The festivities will kick off with the town’s Christmas tree lighting near the Medora Library. The tree will come aglow at 6 p.m. Afterwards, there will be Christmas carols and free Christmas cookies.
On Saturday, you can finish your Christmas shopping; food, craft, and flea market vendors will open at 9 a.m.
Hague & Zabel Funeral Home will host an open house from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and have parking and restrooms available.
Onstage entertainment includes Christmas music from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Jerry and Amber Henson from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and TAPP’D Seymour from 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
At noon, the 2023 Christmas Festival Prince and Princess will be crowned.
The parade will step off at 1 p.m., with Clarence Brown offering the opening prayer, Landon Lee singing the National Anthem, and James Smith serving as grand marshal.
Schools, churches, organizations, businesses, and families may participate by building a float, creating a walking unit, decorating a pickup truck, and riding in the back. People also may bring their custom or classic vehicle, drive a decorated side-by-side ATV, dirt bike, or tractor, or ride a horse.
There is no entry fee, and no Santas are allowed in parade entries. Candy throwing is optional.
Parade entrants should be lined up and ready for judging by noon at the designated area off State Road 235 on the north end of town. Those not in line for judging will not be eligible to win prizes.
Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places in the school/church and private float competitions and for walking units. Trophies, ribbons, and/or assorted prizes will be awarded to emergency vehicle, automobile, and special feature class winners.
After the parade, people can head to the Medora Senior Citizens Center for Selfies with Santa and Cookies with Mrs. Claus.
The festival will conclude with a Christmas party from 8:00 p.m. until midnight at the Carr Township Conservation Club. Admission is $10. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The event is for ages 21 and up and will feature an ugly sweater contest, a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes, and live music provided by Shiloh. Patriot Pizza will set up its food truck from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
