Olde Tyme Christmas

Though Christmas is still six weeks away, two organizations are combining to get local residents into the holiday spirit this weekend.
The Downtown Vandalia Merchants Association and Vandalia Tourism Commission are sponsoring Olde Tyme Christmas downtown this Friday night and Saturday.
The holiday event runs from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, then continues from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
It kicks off with the lighting of the city Christmas tree at Seventh and Gallatin streets at 5 p.m., followed by the annual Vandalia Rotary Club Christmas parade.
The Friday schedule also includes:
• Soroptimist International of Vandalia Cookie Walk.
• Wine tasting, 5-10 p.m.
• Tasting of recipes from the Fayette County Museum 35th Anniversary Cookbook.
• Holiday story time at Evans Public Library at 6 p.m.
• Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, beginning at 6 p.m.
• Chestnut roasting.
• Vandalia Volunteer Fire Department chili supper.
• Tours of Vandalia Statehouse and National Road Interpretive Center.
• Live reindeer and holiday characters, including the Grinch; Santa’s Elves; Buddy, the Elf; Rudolph; Frosty, the Snowman; and characters from “Frozen.”
• Live nativity scene.
• Mobile Millennium Chime Master holiday music.
• Vendors, crafters and bake sales.
The event includes a merchants window display contest and a drawing for a “Frozen” basket.
The Saturday schedule includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Chime Master music, live reindeer and tours of the National Road Interpretive Center.