Throngs converge on town for Christmas Kickoff
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-Chronicle photo by Charlotte Baker
Stunning fireworks capped the evening's activities at the 2021 Dayton Chamber of Commerce Christmas Kickoff last Friday as clusters of people remained on Main Street for the culminating event. Hundreds of people strolled up and down Dayton's sidewalks, enjoying free mule-drawn hay rides, hot chocolate, beautifully decorated storefronts and Christmas trees. At right, one of downtown's many Nutcracker Soldiers adorned "The Town that Still Believes."
DAYTON–The holidays got off to an exuberant start last week with the joyous celebration-after a year off due to the coronavirus-in the community with no holds barred as Daytonites, visiting guests and residents from around the county and region gathered in Our Fair City for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Kickoff.
The day after Thanksgiving dawned with relatively mild weather in "The Town that Still Believes."
Local shops and establishments were brightly lighted and open for business, welcoming shoppers and sightseers alike.
"What a great way to Kickoff Christmas!" exclaimed Belinda Larsen, Executive Director of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. "My expectations were exceeded and then some! People seemed to really enjoy themselves as I saw so many smiles on so many faces and some twinkle in some eyes of the children. None of it could have happened without the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers and the community, it just proved to me that Dayton really is the town that still believes!"
There were free hayrides around Dayton both Friday and Saturday, courtesy of Doug and Margie Kreuger.
The sidewalks were busy with clusters of people taking in the sights and ducking into stores and shops.
Live reindeer amazed children of all ages in the blocked-off N. 1st Street block, between Dingle's of Dayton and Avren Childers' State Farm Agency.
-Chronicle photo by Charlotte Baker
As dusk approached, people gathered behind Dingle's to observe a Christmas Kickoff tradition: the Live Nativity, with an air of authenticity thanks to Izzy the Camel accompanying the Magi.
Around 6 p.m., the lighted parade commenced down Main Street, with Santa Claus waving to the bright-eyed children from the Inland Cellular pickup. After Santa rolled by, there followed a community sing-along led by Makenna Barron by the Elk Drug corner, location of the Community Christmas Tree, sponsored by Touchet Valley Landscape.
After the Community Christmas Tree, decorated by hand-made ornaments from Dayton Elementary students, the fireworks display over east Main Street highlighted the night as hundreds watched from the Courthouse lawn and other spots around Main Street.
