Christmas season in full swing
The Christmas season will get into full swing Tuesday with two events in Greencastle. After a few years' hiatus, a Christmas parade is returning to downtown. It is set to begin at 5 p.m. Grand Marshal will be Carolyn Schenk, who lives at Autumn Glen in Greencastle and was Miss Indiana 1940. More than 20 floats, trucks and other entries will participate. "We had so many float entries that we had to move the start time up," said coordinator Holly Wyatt. Monster trucks and antique cars will be on display in the area where the farmer's market is held during the summer and fall. Several local businesses have donated items that will be given away to attendees. "This has really become a community thing," Wyatt said. "It's not for any one particular age group ... there really is something for everyone." The evening will also mark the opening of Santa's house and mailbox, located between Mason Jewelers and the Putnam County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The square's Christmas lights will be switched on at dusk. Wyatt has visions of an even bigger event for next year. "We'd like to have an old-time Christmas bazaar the Saturday after Thanksgiving," she said. The Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Greencastle Civic League, will also take place n Tuesday. The event will be held at Greencastle City Hall at 6 p.m. Lights to honor loved ones can be purchased for $3.50 each or two for $5. Those who would like to donate to local charities can take advantage of a toy drive at the Putnam County Visitor's Bureau, where contributions of unwrapped toys and clothing will be accepted, and a food drive at the Putnam County Senior Center where canned and boxed items can be dropped off. There will also be a donation site set up for the Humane Society of Putnam County. In addition, the Senior Center will house a Christmas Market from 5 to 8 p.m., and live entertainment will be featured on the courthouse stage. In conjunction with these events, many downtown businesses will remain open extended hours for Christmas shoppers. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available. For information on the parade, call Wyatt between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 653-8905.