Chillicothe's Downtown Holiday Open House - Less Fanfare to Begin Shopping Season

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Chillicothe’s Downtown Holiday Open House is November 20-22, but it will not have the festive kickoff as in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MORE: Watch highlights of the 2018 & 2019 Tree Lighting ceremonies below.

Workers from Bright Solutions at work stringing lights on the City’s Christmas Tree at the south entrance of Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park.

“We tried to wait as long as we could to try to pull off a tree lighting ceremony” said Mike Throne, President and CEO of the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just not wise or in the best interest of public safety to bring a thousand people into downtown in close contact to each other – we can’t guarantee people are wearing masks, we can’t guarantee that people are distancing, so we decided we would scrap the lighting ceremony this year.”

While the usual opening festivities will not be held, the park will be lighted with as in the past. Kids can still see Santa, who’s house has been moved into Yoctangee Park near the Rotary Club Shelter House on Enderlin Circle, however it will be a drive-thru experience each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ivy’s will also have the carriage rides available, but reservations will be required by calling 740-779-9522. Downtown Merchants will still have their doors open to shoppers and the restaurants will be open each day.

Also returning is skating rink in the Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of South Paint and 4th Streets. Throne says the operating dates will last into mind-January with the potential for extended dates into February.

Shoppers are reminded the statewide Health Order for wearing facial coverings are required in all retail stores.

Watch the interview with Mike Throne by clicking the photo below.