Dayton Holiday Festival

Dayton Holiday Festival Will Televise Tree Lighting and Offer a Drive-Thru Parade

October 8, 2020 By Dayton Most Metro

In its 48th year, the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by DP&L, will return to celebrate the holiday season with some necessary changes to keep our community safe. The Dayton Holiday Festival will not gather guests in downtown Dayton for a tree lighting and traditional parade, but kick off with a televised Grande Illumination on Friday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. on WHIO-TV Channel 7 followed on Saturday evening with a Dayton Drive-Thru Children’s Parade in Lights on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 6 pm to 10 pm in downtown Dayton.

Instead of gathering in a large crowd, the Dayton Holiday Festival Committee hopes to continue Dayton traditions in a way friends and families can safely celebrate together, while keeping the health and safety of the community in mind.

“We want to continue to bring holiday joy in our community and we have worked hard to come up with a creative way to continue some of the most cherished holiday traditions in the Dayton community with the Dayton Holiday Festival,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “Thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of our Dayton Holiday Festival team, we’ve reimagined our traditions in a safe way that we hope our community can celebrate two magical nights of holiday spirit with us.”

Mark your calendars to tune in to the tradition of lighting the larger-than-life holiday tree on Courthouse Square during a special 30-minute broadcast that will air on WHIO-TV, Channel 7 beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. The partnership with WHIO will showcase musical entertainment from some of the area’s top performers, a look into area holiday traditions, and several surprises.

The following evening, on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Main Street in downtown Dayton will transform into the Dayton Drive-Thru Children’s Parade in Lights. Spectators will slowly pass through several blocks of downtown streets in their own vehicles, getting an up-close view of the lineup of festive floats, holiday entertainment, and hundreds of thousands of lights that will be on display along downtown Dayton’s Main Street.

The Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights is a holiday favorite.

Details of the Dayton Drive-Thru Children’s Parade in Lights, and the holiday traditions that will continue through the month of December, will be available in the coming weeks on the Dayton Holiday Festival website.

The Dayton Holiday Festival is a program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and is presented by Dayton Power & Light. Additional support comes from White-Allen Chevrolet, CareSource, Dayton Children’s Hospital, NECA/IBEW Electrical Professionals, and the Mrs. Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. Special thanks to WHIO-TV, Dayton.com, and iHeart Media for in-kind media support.

For a complete list of downtown’s events, a dining guide, parking maps and more, visit www.downtowndayton.org, and follow the DDP on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to keep up with downtown events and news.

Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays” Contest offers $500 Prize

October 15, 2018 By Dayton Most Metro

Calling all bakers and architects with a competitive edge: The Dayton Holiday Festival is looking for the area’s most creative confectionary decorators to compete in the 13^th annual Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest on Friday, Nov. 23. Entries will be judged and displayed for public viewing inside the Old Courthouse at Third and Main streets downtown on that day only, during the Grande Illumination and Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights from 4-9 p.m.

All ages and skill levels are invited to participate in this free contest by entering a gingerbread house in the child (12 and younger), teen (13-17), adult (18 and older) or professional category. Entry forms and a complete list of contest rules are available for download at www.daytonholidayfestival.org. Forms may be submitted to the Downtown Dayton Partnership at 10 W. Second St., Suite 611, Dayton, OH 45402 or by e-mail to [email protected] Entry forms are due by Thursday, Nov. 15.

Traditional houses, replicas of buildings, a purchased kit or even cardboard entries are permitted — as long as all exposed surfaces are covered with edible materials. First place in each category will receive a prize package featuring a variety of items. Award ribbons also will be given to second and third place winners in each category. In addition, one amateur and one professional house will be selected as the “Best Houses on the Block,” and each will win a $500 cash prize.

“The entries get more creative each year,” said Sandra Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “The imagination and skill that goes into creating each of these gingerbread houses makes for a really special exhibit ― it’s always a fun part of our holiday season kickoff.”

Contest entries are to be delivered to the Old Courthouse between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday, Nov. 23. They will be judged from 1-2 p.m., and the winners will be notified by telephone. All contest winners will have the opportunity to be recognized on the Main Stage in Courthouse Square before the Grande Illumination tree-lighting ceremony at 7:45 p.m.

For more information on the contest and other activities that are part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, marking 46 years of kicking off the holiday season in the Dayton region, call 937-224-1518 or visit www.daytonholidayfestival.org.

Downtown Partnership Looking for Tree For Courthouse Square Festivities

August 8, 2016 By Downtown Dayton Partnership

The Search is on for Perfect Tree to Adorn Courthouse Square During Annual Dayton Holiday Festival

The Dayton Holiday Festival committee is searching for a tree that will be the centerpiece of Courthouse Square this holiday season. The selected tree will be decorated with more than 50,000 lights and be unveiled at the Grande Illumination ceremony on Friday, Nov. 25.

Guidelines are:
The ideal tree is approximately 45 to 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
Colorado green spruce or blue spruce trees are preferred, but other types of evergreens will be considered if they are grand and stately.
The tree must be located on nominee’s property in the front or side yard.

Miami Valley residents who believe they have the perfect tree can nominate it by calling Colleen Turner at the Downtown Dayton Partnership at (937) 224-1518, ext. 221, or email [email protected]. The winning tree will be selected by a search crew at the end of October. PSC Crane and Rigging will transport the tree to Courthouse Square at no expense to the owners, who will have the opportunity to be part of the official tree-lighting ceremony.

The 2016 Dayton Holiday Festival and Grande Illumination ceremony are scheduled to take place Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving. Maps, program information, sponsors, schedule of events and other details about the event are forthcoming. For more information about Dayton Holiday Festival activities, call (937) 224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

Volunteers Still Needed for Dayton Holiday Festival

November 17, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again. The holiday season is right around the corner and The Downtown Dayton Partnership is once again kicking the season off with the Grande Illumination (presented by DP&L) and the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights (presented by Miami Valley Hospital) on November 27.

According to an email sent out by Sandy Gudorf, President of the Downtown Dayton, volunteers are still needed to help with the November 27 events. Volunteer shifts are short and fun, and there are several ways you can help. Click here for a list of over 40 volunteer opportunties, and sign up today to help kick off the holiday season!*

The Dayton Holiday Festival has been kindling the holiday spirit in downtown Dayton for more than four decades. This long standing tradition brings tens of thousands of children and families downtown to participate in everything the month-long festival has to offer.

There’s a wonderful lineup of events this year, including a variety of arts and cultural activities, as well as numerous family-friendly events that span the entire month of December. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy during this year’s Dayton Holiday Festival.

Dayton Holiday Festival Kicks Off Friday

November 23, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

The Dayton Holiday Festival is your source for family-friendly holiday fun in downtown Dayton. Started by Mrs. Virginia Kettering more than 40 years ago so that all children could enjoy the holiday season regardless of their economic means, the Festival continues today with free attractions for the community.

Each year the festival kicks off Thanksgiving weekend with the Grande Illumination and the Dayton Children’s Parade, and the fun continues throughout the month of December with activities like the Tike’s Shoppe, a family movie series at The Neon, pizza with Santa, and more! Mark your calendars for this year’s activities:

Kick off the Dayton Holiday Festival
Friday, November 28, 4-9 p.m. with:

The Grande Illumination tree lighting
Friday, November 28, 7:45 p.m.
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts.
Watch the holidays light up during Dayton’s traditional tree lighting. At 7:45, we’ll throw the switch and approximately 50,000 colored lights will brighten the two-story-tall holiday tree on Courthouse Square. Sponsored by Big 106.5 FM.

The Dayton Children’s Parade
Spectacular in Lights
Friday, November 28, Approximately 8 p.m.
Along Second, Main & Fourth sts.
Immediately following the tree lighting, the Children’s Parade will round the corner of Second and Main streets to start its route through downtown, sparkling with more than 100,000 lights! Watch decorative seasonal floats, horses, drill teams and bands, and some special holiday treats.

Life-Size Snow Globe
Friday, November 28, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts.
New this year – a unique and fun way to capture your memories of the Grande Illumination and Parade! Jump inside the enormous snow globe and take photos among this whimsical winter scene! Sponsored by DP&L.

Magic Glasses
For a fun and special added touch, we’ll be handing out free ‘magic glasses,’ courtesy of CareSource. Grab a pair on Courthouse Square before watching the tree lighting and parade to see the holiday lights in a whole new way!

But the tree lighting and parade aren’t the only highlights that night! A full evening of fun holiday entertainment and activities is planned from 4-9 p.m., including:

Live Main Stage Entertainment
We have plenty of entertainment on the Courthouse Square Main Stage leading up to the lighting ceremony. Here’s the lineup:

4:00-4:35 p.m. – Holiday Music
4:40-5:00 p.m. – Cathe Brown
5:10-5:30 p.m. – Josh Weston
5:40-6:10 p.m. – Meg Osman
6:20-6:55 p.m. – High Five Riot
7:10-7:45 p.m. – Dayton Celebration Chorus

Main Stage Entertainment is sponsored by Kroger.

Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest
Old Court House, Third & Main sts.; 4-9 p.m.
View all of the delicious contest entries and the award-winning houses. Best in show will receive $500! Winners will be announced on the Main Stage before the tree lighting ceremony. Sponsored by the Downtown Priority Board, with media sponsor B94.5 FM.

Holiday Village
Kettering Tower lobby, southeast corner of Second and Main streets; 4-9 p.m.
Visit a magical fantasy village featuring free crafts, games and lots of other surprises for kids. A favorite at the Holiday Village is Time Warner Cable Media’s ‘Dial-an-Elf’ phone bank, where kids can call the North Pole and share their wish list with one of Santa’s official helpers! The Holiday Village is sponsored by Time Warner Cable Media, with games and crafts sponsored by Hollywood Gaming – Dayton Raceway.

Junior League of Dayton’s Holiday Hunt
Courthouse Square; 4-7 p.m.
Don’t miss this free downtown scavenger hunt for kids! Start at the Junior League tent on Courthouse Square, where you’ll receive your map and instructions. Then follow the hunt to downtown locations to receive prizes!

Street Fair on Third
Third Street between Main and Ludlow; 4-9 p.m.
Blinking lights and whirring sounds are just a small part of the wonder you’ll find at the Street Fair on Third. Enjoy free carnival rides for kids throughout the evening! Street Fair on Third is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

Horse-drawn Wagon Rides
Second & Main, in front of the Premier Health Center; 4-7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a wagon ride through downtown! Plan to come early, as the rides are very popular and lines can be long. (Please note that in order to ensure everyone in line will get a ride, it is often necessary to close the line earlier than the scheduled end time.) $1 per person. Sponsored by Miami-Jacobs Career College.

The holiday fun continues through December with Family Weekends and other activities! Visit http://www.daytonholidayfestival.org for all the details.

Celebrate Gingerbread Day By Entering A Local Gingerbread House Competition

November 21, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Gingerbread can come in many forms – it can be hard or soft, baked as a loaf or as cookies, served with a lemon glaze or none at all, but in all cases it contains some form of ginger. Some recipes call for dried, powdered ginger, others for crystallized, and even some for fresh. The original gingerbread recipe is believed to have originated in England, around the 1640’s and by the 1800’s it had become very popular and was eaten on a regular basis. Other staples in most gingerbread recipes are honey, molasses or treacle. These typically take the place of honey.

Usually fashioned in the most commonly recognised shape of a gingerbread man with his arms stretched side-wards and wearing a huge smile. Gingerbread men have been a Christmas favorite over many years where they are baked in the oven and hung on the Christmas tree as part of the decoration, to be eaten at a later time. The Germans are well known for their gingerbread, which is called Lebkuchen which can either mean cake of life or loaf cake depending on how you say it. However, it is also very often made into gingerbread houses using slabs of baked gingerbread which is modelled and decorated to resemble a house and used to commemorate the Brothers’ Grimm story of Hansel and Gretel. Speaking of which, according to the Guinness World Records, the largest gingerbread house ever built was done so in 2006 by Roger Pelcher at the Mall of America in Minnesota. It was more than 45 feet long, 35 feet wide and 60 feet tall.

The Miami Valley celebrates the Gingerbread House with 2 holiday competitions:

The Dayton Holiday Festival 8th annual Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest in conjunction with the 2013 Grande Illumination

Everyone is invited to participate. Entries will be displayed in the Old Court House at the corner of Third & Main Streets in Downtown Dayton.
Two $500 Cash Prizes Will Be Awarded! Categories include a professional division, and Amateur Adults, teens and kids 12 and under. First place in each category will receive a sweet prize package featuring a variety of prize items. Awards will also be given to second and third place in each category. One house out of all the amateur entries and one house from the professional category will be selected as the “Best House on the Block” and will each receive a $500 cash prize for being the best in show! Winners will be notified after judging is completed and will have an opportunity to be recognized on the Main Stage on Courthouse Square before the tree lighting ceremony on

Friday, November 29. Deadline for entry forms is Friday, November 22nd.

Contest Rules/Guidelines:

Each entry must be submitted on a wooden or plastic base.
The size of the structure’s base support shall not exceed 20”x20”.
The structure can be made from gingerbread, cardboard, or a purchased kit.
All exposed surfaces of the structure and all decorations must be covered with edible materials (with the exception of the base/foundation).
Battery operated lights are permitted; however they must be inside the structure and turned on by the entrant.
Designs may be any structure such as houses, public buildings, businesses, etc.
Judging will be based on overall appearance, neatness, creativity, and best use of materials.
Anyone who currently or previously has received payment for their cake/pastry skills or is a trained professional needs to enter the Professional category in this contest.
Cash prizes will not be awarded if judges decide that there is not an entry that qualifies as best in show.
Instructions on picking up your entry after the contest will be included in a confirmation letter.

For more information, visit daytonholidayfestival.org or call (937) 224-1518 ext. 227

The Washington Township Woodland Lights 13th Annual Collection of Gingerbread Houses

Entries for the Woodland Lights Gingerbread Art Competition are due on Monday, Dec. 2. Bakers can enter individually or in groups. Categories include: adults, youth 7 to 18, preschoolers, and groups such as families, community organizations and schools. Families especially are encouraged to submit entries, Madden said. “Working in the kitchen helps bring families together. Designing, baking and decorating a gingerbread house provides a wonderful intergenerational opportunity.”

Individuals who place first in their category will receive an Active 90 Pass which provides free entrance for 90 days to the recreation center’s aquatic activities, fitness center, running track, open gym and climbing wall and to Rec West’s gym, theater and game room. Second place winners receive five daily passes. Registered participants who win as part of a group will receive two daily passes.

Gingerbread house entries should be taken to the Stolz Building, behind the Washington Township Recreation Center, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. Gingerbread judging takes place Thursday, Dec. 5. Rules, guidelines can be found here. Entering is free. Call 438-7985 for information.

THE SESSIONS + A LATE QUARTET Opening at THE NEON

November 14, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re opening 2 new films at this weekend, and we hope they’ll attract big crowds. This is a lucrative weekend/week at THE NEON. Thanksgiving business can often set the tone for the remaining weeks of the year…and we’re really hoping to end 2012 with a bang! Like many of the films we’ve played at this time, we think some Oscar nominations could arise from our selections. (Here are some films that we’ve played during Thanksgiving in past years: AMELIE, CAPOTE, THE QUEEN, BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, 127 HOURS and THE DESCENDANTS.) If you need to see any of our current attractions, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON (visit our website for current showtimes). On Friday, we will open THE SESSIONS and A LATE QUARTET.

Synopsis for THE SESSIONS: “The Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined at age 38 to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.” (from Fox Searchlight) Starring the amazing John Hawkes and a fearless Helen Hunt, this film is certain to get Oscar attention this year! Click this link to visit the official site. I LOVE THIS FILM!

Synopsis for A LATE QUARTET: “When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy. Inspired by and structured around Beethoven’s Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, A LATE QUARTET pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.” (taken from rottentomatoes.com) Starring Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken, Mark Ivanir, and Philip Seymour Hoffman Click this link to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T7vqxwuWEM’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1VCyikozys’]

On Sunday, November 18 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum, Wright State Peace Lecture Committee, Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton and The Dayton Council on World Affairs will present a special, free screening of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
“Dayton has made its place in history as the host city for the Dayton Peace Accords. A historic achievement in 1995, the Accords helped bring an end to the tragic civil war of the Former Yugoslavia. With the end in fighting, a horrific reality of ethnic cleaning and genocide was revealed, especially after the international community had pledged ‘No More’ after the end of the Holocaust in 1945. The Angelina Jolie-directed movie, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY portrays a bittersweet love story during the war. It brings to light the tragic reality of war and its impact on our humanity. In the aftermath of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, a major trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague took place that led to
international recognition of rape as a weapon of war. At this screening, we will be commemorating the historic Dayton Peace Accords and how Dayton was instrumental in the process. There will also be a Q&A panel after the movie to discuss ongoing violence issues against women that sadly continue domestically and internationally. Please join us for this important movie and stimulating discussion on how we can contribute to peace and humanity in our world today.” (taken from press notes) Visit the film’s official site.

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

Next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start in December…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 16 – Thur, Nov. 22:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 5:50, 8:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (R) 2 Hr 7 Min
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

Entries Sought for Eighth Annual “Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays” Contest

October 23, 2012 By Downtown Dayton Partnership Leave a Comment

The Dayton Holiday Festival is looking for the area’s most creative confectionary decorators to compete in the eighth annual Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest on Friday, Nov. 23. Located inside the Old Court House at Third and Main streets in downtown Dayton, entries will be judged and displayed for public viewing that day only, during the Grande Illumination and Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights from 4-9 p.m.

Visitors to the Dayton Holiday Festival check out a winning gingerbread house during last year’s competition.

Stir up your icing and your imagination! All ages and skill levels are invited to participate in this free contest by entering a gingerbread house in the youth (12 and younger), teen (13-17), adult (18 and older) or professional category. Entry forms and a complete list of contest rules are available for download at www.daytonholidayfestival.org. Forms may be submitted to the Downtown Dayton Partnership at 10 W. Second St., Suite 611, Dayton, OH 45402 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Entry forms are due by Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Get rolling and win dough! Traditional houses, replicas of buildings, a purchased kit or even cardboard entries are permitted (as long as all exposed surfaces are covered with edible materials). First place in each category will receive a prize package featuring a variety of items. Awards also will be given to second and third place winners in each category. In addition, one amateur and one professional house will be selected as the “Best Houses on the Block” and each will win a $500 cash prize.

The 2010 winner for “Best House on the Block.” The creator of the gingerbread house that wins this category will receive a $500 cash prize.

“The entries get more creative each year,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “The imagination and skill that goes into creating each of these gingerbread houses makes for a really special exhibit ― it’s always a fun part of our holiday season kickoff.”

Contest entries are to be delivered to the Old Court House between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday, Nov. 23. They will be judged from 2-4 p.m., and the winners will be notified by telephone. All contest winners will have the opportunity to be recognized on the Main Stage in Courthouse Square before the Grande Illumination tree lighting ceremony at 7:45 p.m.

The Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest is supported by media sponsors Community News Group Dayton and Mix 107.7 FM, along with community sponsor the Downtown Priority Board. The contest is part of the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by OneMain Financial and sponsored by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, City of Dayton, Montgomery County and the Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. For more information on the contest and other activities that are part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, which this year is marking 40 years of kicking off the holiday season in the Dayton region, call 937-224-1518 or visit www.daytonholidayfestival.org.

Jane’s Best Bets (11/23 – 11/27)

November 25, 2011 By Jane Krebs Leave a Comment

: Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s that time of year when you get asked the question, “What are you thankful for?” I am thankful for the many blessings in my life, including such things as my family, friends, food, shelter, etc. In addition, I am thankful for the fact that there are always great things going on in Dayton…and I’m here to share a few of them with you.

On Wednesday, head to the 2nd Street Market to get some of your last minute Thanksgiving items for their Stock-Up Wednesday. If you didn’t get to catch opening night of Les Miserables at the Schuster Center, you will still have an opportunity on Wednesday (as well as a few other opportunities later in the week). Also, many people say that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest party day of the year, so if you are heading out to the bars (or anywhere, for that matter!), please remember to be safe!

On Thanksgiving/Thursday, perhaps you’ll be one of the brave runners out there for the 33rd Annual Turkey Trot in downtown Miamisburg, which I am told is sold out! I am also told that if you participate in it, you can eat WHATEVER you want on Thanksgiving and the calories don’t count! If nobody in your family is cooking, then you can make your way to the Dayton Convention Center for Thanksgiving in Dayton: ‘A Feast of Giving’. Or head out to one of several great restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner, such as McCormick & Schmick’s, L’Auberge, Amelia’s Bistro, C’est Tout, or Carver’s. In addition, Neil’s Heritage House will be having their Grand Opening celebration on Thanksgiving Day! Whatever you do, I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

On Friday, I’m sure many of you will be out there bright and early to get some of those Black Friday deals! After you go back to sleep for a few hours, be sure to make your way downtown for the Dayton Holiday Festival. The Tike’s Shop and Wonderland Windows at the Schuster Center, as well as the Ice Rink at RiverScape will be open. There will be the The Grande Illumination at Courthouse Square and the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights. Also, you will be able to see Les Miserables at the Schuster Center and The Blue Moon Dancing (by the way, that is a great beer!) at the Dayton Theatre Guild.

On Saturday, sit down and enjoy Les Miserables at the Schuster Center. Do you have an old instrument that is just collecting dust in the garage? If so, take it to the 2nd Street Market for “It’s Instrumental,” where the market is collaborating with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in collecting instruments for Dayton Public Schools’ music programs. Enjoy UD’s annual exhibit of international nativities as part of the At the Manger: World Nativity Traditions Open House. Make your way to Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm for Candle Dipping and their Holiday Art Fair and Open House. At Hara Arena, watch the Dayton Gems as they play Fort Wayne. And finally, if you’re a boxing fan, head to US Bank Arena for HBO Boxing After Dark.

On Sunday, enjoy a little R & R after the craziness of the holidays! Be sure to check out Les Miserables at the Schuster Center if you haven’t already done so! Prior to the show, check out some of the great things going on there, including The Tike’s Shop and Wonderland Windows. Or make your way to the Dayton Art Institute to see American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why can’t you take a turkey to church?

Because they use such “fowl” language.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar. There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today! Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE! And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (12/15 – 12/19)

December 15, 2010 By Jane Krebs Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

If you had one, I hope you enjoyed your 2-hour delay or day off due to the snow this week! If not, I’m sorry! There are again lots of things to do this week, so even if jackfrost is nipping at your nose, don’t make it a big deal…bundle up and get out of that house!

On Wednesday, start the day at Taco Bell for Free Breakfast Wednesday. At lunchtime, there are several events going on downtown. You will be able to hear yuletide carols being sung by a choir if you attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment or the Noonday Carol Singat Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you work or volunteer for a non-profit, you’ll want to attend Results Now for Nonprofits at the main branch of the Dayton Metro Library. The colors of Christmas are red and green, so get in half of that spirit by attending the ‘Green’ Social Networking event at Franco’s. For you winos, attend the Wine Tasting at Dorothy Lane Market or the Weekly Wine Tastingat The Wine Gallery. If you’re a beero, attend the Mt Camel Beer Tastingat A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg. At the Spaghetti Warehouse, attend their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘Hollywood Holiday’…if it’s too scary, you will find it hard to sleep tonight. For you corny folk like me, attend the Customer Appreciation Christmas Partyat Barleycorn’s, where it will be happy hour all day and there will be visits and gifts from Santa. And finally on Wednesday, at The Loft Theatre, attend 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s or catch The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre.

On Thursday, visit Santa at the PNC Second Street Market. Again at your lunch hour, attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment going on downtown. If you are a young professional who lives/works north of town, join HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) at The Caroline as part of their Third Thursday. In order to try a new beer or two, attend the Sierra Nevada Celebration at Spinoza’s or the Christmas Beer Dinner at Thai 9. I’m talking to you about beer, so I’m offering this simple phrase: Don’t drink and drive. Over at the Dayton Art Institute, watch as the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Presents African Americans in American Life. While there, take advantage of their Free Third Thursdays. Or crank out some tunes by attending Karaoke with DJ Carlat Therapy Café.

On Friday, there are many options for your lunch hour. If you would like to have lunch with an awesome group of young professionals, RSVP to the wonderful Andy Hickey and attend Generation Dayton’s 4th Friday lunchat Rue Dumaine (it’s actually the third Thursday this month because of Christmas!). Or, attend Bach’s Lunch feat. Carillon Brass, a band of brass instrument musicians, whose members are all part of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Plus, the concert is absolutely FREE! According to my schedule, fish fry season doesn’t officially start until the Holy Angels fish fry in January, but you don’t have to wait that long for a little fish as you’ll be able to have an All You Can Eat Fish Dinnerat Romer’s Bar and Grill. For those of us who still need to finish our Christmas shopping, we’re in luck as there is a Holiday Bazaar at Valeria’s Beauty Center and Day Spa. Don’t feel like cooking? Attend the Christmas Candlelight Dinner at the Dayton Woman’s Club. Or attend the December Wine and Food Extravaganzaat Kroger Fresh Fare. I looked at the menu and it sounds absolutely amazing, as there are many foods whose names I don’t know how to pronounce! To burn off all those calories, grab your ice skates and head over to RiversScape for their DJ Skate: Holiday and Top 40. Or if you feel like just kicking back, consider purchasing tickets to one of the many shows going on in the area, including Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, the The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, or Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia.

Plan to make Saturday a day with your kids…or at least part of it. And if you’re like me and don’t have any kids, you can just act like one, or perhaps give somebody’s parents a break and borrow one. (My mom said she wished somebody would borrow me. Yep, she actually said that…luckily followed by a just kidding!) So with kid/s in tow, attend Breakfast with Santa at Carillon Park or stop by the PNC 2^nd Street Market as Santa Visits the Market, where he has probably loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh! While there, drop off your non-perishable items for Food for Friends. In addition to helping those who are less fortunate, you’ll also be setting a great example for the little ones! You can then visit the Wonderland Windows and do a little shopping at The Tike’s Shop, which are both at the Schuster Center. At Kettering Tower, check out Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display. A little later, take those kiddos to The Neon to watch ‘The Grinch’ as part of their Family Movie Series. Looking for a pet? Consider attending the Iams Home 4 the Holiday Pet Adopt-a-thon Event.

There are many other options for Saturday as well! If you’d like to see a show, consider seeing Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at the Loft Theatre. Help to make the season bright by attending the Musica! Christmas Seasonal Concertat Fairhaven Church. I have heard that Musica! has been working hard to put on a great performance! All you “Flyer Faithful” will want to be at the UD Arena as the Flyers take on Western Carolina. And although I have never been to one, you can also attend The Mu Crew Christmas Drag Showto benefit the AIDS Resource Center…there might not be folks dressed up like eskimos, but I am sure they will be wearing some interesting clothes! I didn’t mean for it to, but that sort of rhymed…I guess I’m a poet and didn’t even know it.

On Sunday, have a Victorian Christmas Brunch at the Dayton Woman’s Club. You will also have the opportunity to take your child to the Schuster Center to have Some-Fun, see the Wonderland Windows display, and shop at The Tike’s Shop…I’m sure there will be lots of tiny tots with their eyes all aglow! If you love architecture, then you will definitely want to attend the Architectural Church Tour which will take you through four different churches built in the late 19th/early 20th century. This shuttled tour is 100% free! If you didn’t get a chance to see Musica! perform on Saturday night, consider checking them out at the Lutheran Church of our Savior for their Christmas Seasonal Concert. And for some theater options, go to the Dayton Playhouse to see Christmas Belles, the Victoria Theatre for The Wonder Bread Years, the Schuster Center for The Nutcracker, Town Hall Theatre for Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, La Comedia for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, or The loft Theatre for 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s. And if you would like somebody to hit your funny bone, see Latin Kings of Comedy- Alex Reymundo at Dayton Funny Bone. I have two funny bones, but I think Dayton only has one.