We’re entering that time of year when Santa Claus gets ready for his big day and holiday lights illuminate houses, buildings and trees. Santa has his calendar circled for Sunday, November 25, for a visit to the City Green in North Royalton.
And you should, too!
Santa will ride in the annual Christmas Parade and will take part in the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on the City Green. After the switch is flipped, Santa will visit with area children to find out what they would like to find under their Christmas tree or in their Christmas stocking.
The Holiday Lighting Committee continues to keep this North Royalton Holiday tradition alive. It’s a chance to welcome in the holiday season with your friends and neighbors. You’ll be able to get a cup of hot chocolate and a snack and create new holiday memories.
The Christmas Parade will leave the St. Albert the Great parking lot at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, November 25, via the south exit onto Royalwood. The parade will travel west on Royalwood and will turn left onto Ridge Road. The parade will turn south on Ridge Road to Royalton Road, then make a right onto Royalton and a right onto City Hall Drive.
Parking for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the City Green is available at North Royalton Middle School and North Royalton High School.
The highlight of the lighting display at City Green is the “Avenue of Trees”. The Holiday Lighting Committee has been hard at work getting sponsors for the six-foot lighted Christmas Trees with an ornament that displays the sponsor’s name. The trees line the sidewalks on the Green.
Decorations for the trees and lights on the North Royalton Municipal Buildings are made possible by money raised at the Harvest Festival which took place earlier this fall.
The parade and the lighting ceremony will be held rain or shine…or snow! Be sure you dress yourself and your children or grandchildren for all kinds of weather.
When Santa arrives at the City Green, on the back of a North Royalton Fire Truck, he’ll head to his temporary quarters ‘The Little Red House’ where he will welcome his young visitors and take some notes on what they want for Christmas. Mrs. Claus and a couple of elves will pass out a small present to each youngster who talks with Santa.
North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik will be joined by the children of North Royalton in flipping the switch to turn the City Green into a Winter Wonderland. The holiday lights will remain turned on until after the Orthodox New Year celebration.
Bring your Thanksgiving weekend to a close with your North Royalton friends and neighbors at the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Parade at the City Green on Sunday, November 25. The parade begins at 4:45 p.m. Follow the example set by Santa Claus, circle your calendar for November 25.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer