Belpre’s Winter Wonderland: Christmas comes to Civitan Park
A carousel in Belpre’s Civitan Park provides rides to children and adults early one recent evening. (Photo by Art Smith)
People walk past two of the pop-up Christmas shops that are part of the Belpre holiday displays in Civitan Park. (Photo by Art Smith)
A snowman on a tree from TMK Electric. (Photo by Art Smith)
A tree from Clayton Homes in front of a larger light display in the park. (Photo by Art Smith)
A spider clings to a limb on a tree from Eastern Burkholder Exterminator, Inc. (Photo by Art Smith)
Flags on a tree from American Way Electric. (Photo by Art Smith)
A tree from the Dashing Dog spa. (Photo by Art Smith)
A carousel in Belpre’s Civitan Park provides rides to children and adults early one recent evening. (Photo by Art Smith)
People walk past two of the pop-up Christmas shops that are part of the Belpre holiday displays in Civitan Park. (Photo by Art Smith)
A snowman on a tree from TMK Electric. (Photo by Art Smith)
A tree from Clayton Homes in front of a larger light display in the park. (Photo by Art Smith)
A spider clings to a limb on a tree from Eastern Burkholder Exterminator, Inc. (Photo by Art Smith)
Flags on a tree from American Way Electric. (Photo by Art Smith)
A tree from the Dashing Dog spa. (Photo by Art Smith)
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BELPRE -- This weekend will be the final opportunity to participate in the Belpre Christmas Market in Civitan Park.
The Belpre Christmas Market has been open on Fridays and Saturdays since late November and runs through Sunday, Dec. 21.
A variety of vendors have been participating, along with a carousel offering free rides for visitors of all ages.
Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella said the market started as a discussion among friends and officials about similar markets they have experienced and enjoyed in other places, and decided to try such a program in Belpre.
The markets are different each week, sometimes from Friday to Saturday. Organizers had originally planned only one day a weekend for the markets, but vendor interest caused that to be expanded to two days and there is still a waiting list of vendors interested in participating, Abdella said.
Organizers are already looking ahead to next year and expanding things a bit "but not too much, we want to keep the small town feel," Abdella said. "We will be expanding from six to 10 market spots and adding other options."
Regarding the free carousel, "Families -- no, everybody -- love the carousel," she said.
Several activities originally scheduled for Dec. 13 but cancelled due to inclement weather have been rescheduled for this weekend:
Saturday
* 5-9 p.m.: Christmas Market and carousel
* 6 p.m.: Santa arrives at the bandstand
* 6-7 p.m.: A reverse parade will be set up at the boat ramp. (The floats and participants will be parked along the road for all to drive by and view; candy will be given to those visiting the parade)
Sunday
* 5-9 p.m.: Christmas Market and carousel
* 5:30 p.m.: Ugly Sweater contest at the the bandstand.
* 6 p.m.: The interactive movie "The Polar Express" will be shown at the bandstand
* 6-8 p.m.: Trolley Tours of the Christmas lights contest.
* 7:30 p.m.: Christmas caroling, meet in Civitan Park.