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COLUMBIANA -- It's that time of year again in the city -- the Joy of Christmas annual light show will open to the public Friday.
The widely popular drive-thru holiday light display located inside the Harvey S. Firestone Park on East Park Avenue will open following the Columbiana Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas Parade Friday evening.
This year marks the 15th year for the Joy of Christmas, sponsored and organized by the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau (CATB), and area volunteers.
"The Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau and their Joy of Christmas Light display. We look forward to kicking things off with our annual Christmas Parade," Chamber Executive Director Bridget Wolsonovich said.
The light display boasts more than 1 million lights on more than 90 displays situated throughout the park. Each display is sponsored by an area individual, organization, or business.
The event is entirely run by volunteers, and anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring a light display should call 330-482-2282.
"The Joy of Christmas light show is an amazing and special event that makes Christmas a magical time for both the young and old to experience," Columbiana Mayor Rick Noel said. "This beautiful display of a million lights and so much more can only happen because of the hundreds of community volunteers and the phenomenal businesses, individuals and organizations who finance the lighted displays."
The Joy of Christmas light show has attracted thousands of visitors each year and helps raise money for the park's maintenance and other activities and events in Columbiana.
Entrance to the Joy of Christmas is $20 per vehicle and $3 per person on buses and tour vans.
First Responder and Senior Nights is $10 entry every Sunday for all first responders, veterans and adults 65 years and older.
The light display is open on select nights from 6-9 p.m. beginning Nov. 17 through Dec. 24.
This year's schedule is Nov. 17, 18, and 19; Nov. 22, 24, 25, and 26; and nightly Nov. 30 through Dec. 24.
Special events planned for this year include a hay ride and petting zoo on Nov. 18; Santa's Special Night (by appointment only for those with special needs) Dec. 6; Walk-It Night on Dec. 4; and a 5K run on Dec. 5.
The popular Gingerbread House and Santa's Ice Castle for children will also be available.
The Gingerbread House features a story time with Mrs. Clause and showcases gingerbread houses crafted by area school students.
A visit to Santa's Ice Castle features an indoor train display, and other children's activities including Letters to Santa, ornament decoration, reindeer food and a cookie plate for Santa.
Concessions benefiting local non-profit and civic organizations will also be available inside the Ice Castle, for $1 each.
Photo opportunities with Santa are $15 for one 5 by 7 color print photo.
The tourism bureau would like to encourage visitors to allot one hour of time for traveling through the light display and additional time if participating in the Gingerbread House and Ice Castle activities.
The bureau is also encouraging people to take advantage of the city's other offerings, by enjoying a stroll down historic Main Street, visiting the Dutch District (on the north end of town) and the Firestone Commons areas to discover why Columbiana was awarded "Nicest Place in America" by Reader's Digest in 2019.
The city was also ranked 19th in "The Top 25 Hallmark Christmas Towns" index by the Runaway Suitcase in 2019.
More information can be found online at www.TourColumbiana.org.