31st annual parade, illumination takes over East Main Street, Ashland Plaza
Ashland’s holiday season swings into full gear Friday, Nov. 24, with Santa and Mrs. Claus’ procession from the Ashland Public Library to Ashland Plaza and the launch of the Festival of Light Celebration.
The 31st annual celebration starts at 5 p.m. when children, elves and reindeer escort Mr. Claus down East Main Street to the Brickroom balcony where he will greet the crowd and light the town, kicking off a season of celebration coordinated by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce and Travel Ashland.
East Main Street between Water and Gresham streets will be closed from 3 to 7 p.m. All vehicles parked within the parade route after 3 p.m. will be towed. Lithia Way will be set up for two-way traffic needs within the downtown corridor during that time.
“Travel Ashland’s mission is to inspire visitors to travel to Ashland,” said Katharine Cato, director of Travel Ashland. “The magic of the Festival of Light attracts visitors and locals alike to enjoy Ashland’s events and amenities throughout the holiday season.”
Additional events planned by the chamber and Travel Ashland include:
- Saturday, Nov. 25: Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. The Ashland Chamber is sponsoring a Shop Small promotion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ashland Chamber office. Be one of the first 100 people to stop by the Ashland Chamber office and pick up your support local game card. Shop or dine at four local businesses (two must be retail) from Monday, Nov. 27, through Friday, Dec. 15, and bring your completed game card back in for a $25 Ashland Chamber gift certificate, good at nearly 50 businesses in Ashland. The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. (Ashland Chamber gift certificates make a great gift — they are available online or at the Ashland Chamber office.)
- First Friday, Dec. 1, Rogue World Music will be wassailing around the plaza beginning at 5 p.m. and Chamber Music Concerts will hold a pop up concert on the Brickroom balcony with the American Brass Quintet, holding their full concert the next day.
- Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-10, the Siskiyou Singers hold their holiday concerts at the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall.
- Friday through Sunday, Dec. 15-17, the Rogue Valley Symphony stages “Home for the Holidays” at the Bowmer Theatre and the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers hold their performances, “In Times of Softest Snow,” at the SOU Music Recital Hall.
- Saturday, Dec. 16, celebrate First Frost with Ashland Parks & Recreation at the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink for fun for the whole family.
The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring caroling on holiday weekends.
The Oregon Cabaret Theatre and Camelot Theater in Talent have shows going on, and the Mt. Ashland Ski Area is gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary season.
Source: City of Ashland and Ashland Chamber of Commerce news releases. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
