The Hometown Christmas Celebration begins the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 26th 2010 starting with charming carriage rides venturing through the Historic downtown from 3pm to 5pm, leaving from the Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 220 Broadway to get Porter County in the spirit for the Twilight Christmas Parade. The free horse drawn carriage rides are sponsored by the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce and provided by Buggies and Things.
The Twilight Christmas Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. from the Chesterton Middle School and continues through downtown from Broadway to Calumet Road, Porter Avenue and returning back to the middle school parking lot. There will be numerous entries, from floats to walking groups, decorated for the holiday theme all leading up to the big finish of Santa Coming to Town on the fire engine. Not for profits may register with the Duneland Chamber and sell hot chocolate, baked goods and holiday treats for the parade attendees.
After the parade, Businesses downtown will remain open after the parade for some Black Friday shopping and Santa will be in Thomas Centennial Park’s Santa House to greet all the boys and girls from 6:00pm to 8:30p.m. Santa will be in his house every Saturday through Christmas from 10:00 a.m. to noon and again from 1:00 to 3:00p.m.
To continue the Holiday spirit, mark your calendars for the Chesterton’s European Market 8th Annual Mistletoe Market on Saturday December 4th at new location Westchester Intermediate School gymnasiums A and B from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. Bring your children to have photographs taken with Santa by MJ Photography and enjoy the live holiday sounds of Harpist Cynthia Shelhart. Have a visit with all of your favorite European Market vendors; pick up a fresh-from-the-farm Christmas tree, and choose from over 80 vendors for all of your quality holiday shopping needs.