Grab a Bag of Holiday Fun in Ohio's Historic West This Winter Season

With the holiday's right around the corner, take a moment and consider shopping, dining and experiencing the rich heritage found in the region known as Ohio's Historic West. Many historic downtowns are decked out in holiday flare and are just waiting to welcome you. Here is just a sampling of activities and events to enjoy as you plan your Christmas list.

In Van Wert:

December 1 / SONOS Handbell Choir / Niswonger Performing Arts Center / 3pm. Nothing says Christmas like shiny silver bells. From California, the Niswonger proudly presents one of the finest ensembles of professional bell ringers to help ring in the Christmas season. For more information or to purchase tickets visit their web site at www.npacvw.org or call the box office at 419-238-6722.

December 1-21 / 24th Annual Artist Member Exhibit & Sale / Wassenberg Art Center / 1 - 5pm. The Center's membership includes many visual artists from many different states. For a different kind of "Black Friday", this exhibit and sale supports them and helps you out with holiday shopping! You'll find something for that someone who has "everything". This is a judged exhibit with several hundred dollars in awards given. For more information contact the Art Center at 419-238-6837 or visit their web site at www.wassenbergartcenter.org.

December 1-25 / Holiday Lights at the Fair / Van Wert County Fairgrounds / 5 - 9pm. The Van Wert County 4-H Interstate Exchange group is hosting its fourth holiday spectacular for Van Wert County and the surrounding area. The "Holiday Light Show at the Fair" is a drive-through light show every weekend. Exhibits are themed around the holidays and are supplied by local businesses, churches and organizations. The Holiday Light Show at the Fair can be accessed of Fox Road at the Gate 5 entrance to the fairgrounds. Cost is only $5 per car. For more information, call the Ohio State University Extension Office at 419-238-1214.

In Darke County:

10th Annual Hometown Holiday Horse Parade / Saturday, November 23 / downtown Greenville. Join more than 8,000 spectators for this lighted, holiday tradition including 50+ horse-drawn carriages trotting along the streets of downtown Greenville. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, the route will be expanded and addition musical entertainment will be featured. Contact Main Street Greenville for more information, (937) 548-4998. www.MainStreetGreenville.org.

Candlelight Open House at Bear's Mill / December 7 / 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Picture a crackling bonfire and luminaries reflecting off the water. Feel the chill in the air. Smell the aroma of fresh cedar. Taste the hot chocolate with marshmallows. You are invited to enjoy the romance of the holidays at this historic landmark during an evening in the country with The Friend of Bear's Mill. Contact: Merri Niekamp at 937-548-5112 or www.bearsmill.com.

Riders in the Sky / Christmas the Cowboy Way / December 7 / 8:00pm. Country music is all over the dial, but it's a little harder to find some good old-fashioned, straight-up, tumbleweed twirling, spur-jingling western music. But have no fear, podner, because The Riders In The Sky are saddled up and fixin' to pay a visit to St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville to deliver a load of true-blue western music with a helping of holiday cheer. And you can bet your favorite pair of boots the Riders will crack a few jokes along the way. The Riders In The Sky have been spreading smiles and putting on the miles since 1977. To date, the band has played 6,350 shows at venues ranging from Hayfork to Carnegie Hall with stops along the way to record "Woody's Round Up" for the film "Toy Story 2." Contact: Andrea Jordan at 937-547-0908 or on the web at www.centerforarts.net.

In Miami County:

A Holiday Shopping Paradise / November 9 & 10 / Sat. 10-8, Sun 12-6. The perfect start to the Holiday Season awaits you in Historic Downtown Tipp City where the shopkeepers warmly invite you to their open house. Don't miss the visit by Santa, strolling carolers, musicians and carriage rides. This is indeed, one of the best communities to visit before the holidays to shop for wonderfully unique gifts and collectibles! For more information, please visit www.downtowntippcity.org.

The Piqua community's independently owned businesses are coming together to host a community-wide Holiday Open house the weekend of November 15-17. There is plenty to see and do and the merchants are inviting everyone to come and enjoy an exciting shopping experience as they join together to usher in the holiday season. The stores will be festively decorated and all the season's exciting new merchandise will be unveiled. The Holiday Open House will run 5 - 9 on Friday, 10 to 5 on Saturday, and Noon to 4 on Sunday. For more information contact Main Street Piqua - 937-773-9355 or visit online atwww.mainstreetpiqua.com.

Troy Lights Up for the Holidays! 2013 Hometown Holiday Celebration will take place on Friday, November 29th beginning at 6:30pm in downtown Troy. Parade, Grand Illumination, phone calls to the North Pole, visits with Santa, carriage rides, holiday music, refreshments, shopping, and Mayor Beamish's special holiday reading. Admission is free. Contact Troy Main Street at 937-339-5455 or www.TroyMainStreet.org.

In Mercer County:

A fun holiday event for the whole family takes place in Celina, Ohio where the family dog is invited to joins in the fun. The annual "Reindog & Elf" Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, November 30th. The fun starts early in the morning with an 8am breakfast with Santa. The parade will begin at approximately10:30am and ends with Santa's arrival at his home on the Mercer County Courthouse lawn and includes the judging of the best reindog and elf costumes. In addition, there will be treats, carriage rides, carolers and special Christmas sales in downtown specialty shops. So bring the kids and the dog and enjoy this fun holiday tradition.

In Shelby County:

Home for the Holidays Dinner / November 21 / Greatstone Castle at 429 North Ohio Avenue in Sidney. A great way to start your Holiday Season. This year dinner will have a new look and feel, but will continue to have the traditional Victorian Holiday flair. Tickets: $35 for members, $45 for non-members.
Contact: Shelby County Historical Society Phone: 937-498-1653 or www.ShelbyCountyHistory.org.

Winter Wonderland Parade & Lighting Ceremony / November 22 / Downtwon Sidney on the Courtsquare. The perfect start to the holiday season! At 6:30 pmthe Lighting Ceremony begins on the Shelby County Courtsquare followed by the parade welcoming Santa to town at 7:30pm. Contact: Amy Breinich, Director-Downtown Sidney Phone: 937-492-9122 or www.downtownsidney.com.

All this and more are at www.OhiosHistoricWest.com.